Miles Burris, Menelik Watson take the practice field

We are now heading into week 9 of the 2013 NFL season. And for the first time this year, Miles Burris set foot on the practice field. Menelik Watson was also at practice after having been out every game this season with injury.

Dennis Allen said on Monday that he expected both to be back so this is no great surprise. Though it actually happening is an event in itself.

To say Burris hasn't practiced all year, I mean ALL year. He hasn't seen the field since the 2012 season. He got a knee surgery in January and has been a fixture watching practice from the sidelines through OTA's, minicamps, training camp, preseason, and regular season.

The team doesn't have to activate Burris right away. They signed linebacker Martez Wilson last week which gives them 6 linebackers already on the roster. The Raiders will have three weeks to activate him to the roster.

Watson returned to practice three other times and re-injured himself each time. Expect the team to ease him back into the fold. Today he was seen backing up Khalif Barnes at left tackle as opposed to right tackle, which was the position he was drafted. Matt McCants is still running first team at right tackle which is where he has played the last three games for the Raiders.

Former starting right tackle Tony Pashos appeared last week to be close to returning. He was working off to the side with Burris during practice. But he is still not back and neither is reserve center, Andre Gurode.

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