Raiders-Broncos injury report: Sean Smith practices, Aqib Talib still missing with back injury

There is some news for both the Raiders and the Broncos with regarding the status of their starting cornerbacks. It's good news for the Raiders and not good news for the Broncos.

Shockingly, Sean Smith was back at practice today for the Raiders. His shoulder injury has been thought to keep him out at least this week, which still may be the case, but his return is very good news. Remember, Charles Woodson played the following week after dislocating his shoulder in the season opener last season, so it's not unheard of. Though playing safety with a bum shoulder is a bit easier than playing corner.

Aqib Talib suffered a back injury that had him out last Sunday against the Chargers. He has missed the first two practices this week and is headed to California to seek a second opinion on his back. That usually means the first opinion wasn't too favorable and it could mean the All Pro corner misses Sunday's game.

"I just know that he's got an issue going on with his back, and there's good days and bad days," said Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak said of Talib. "He feels really good, here we go, and then it bothers him again, stiffens up on him. So we're battling through it and felt like the best thing to do was to get a second opinion on it."

Returning Thursday for both teams were several players who got the day off Wednesday. Basically most of the Raiders offensive line and the Broncos starting secondary, with the exception of Talib.

The only Raiders player who missed practice Thursday was Stacy McGee.