Raiders target next week for return of defensive tackles Eddie Vanderdoes, Justin Ellis

This week there have been sightings of Raiders defensive tackles Eddie Vanderdoes and Justin Ellis on the practice field in Alameda. Vanderdoes has been on the Physically Unable to Perform list all season and Ellis was placed on Injured Reserve after the season opener.

Both are eligible to return to the lineup this week against the Chargers, but the Raiders are holding off yet, with plans on getting them both back in the next couple weeks.

“I think Eddie Vanderdoes is doing very well. I don’t know that he’ll be up this week, but Arizona is a legitimate target for him,” said Gruden Wednesday.

“He looks pretty good in there,” Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther added Thursday. It’s his first time back in pads. . . I watched Vanderdoes closely last year and he did some good things. He’s a natural fit for our system. It’s just that we got to get him up to speed to make sure that he is ready to go, and we will see by the end of the week how we feel about that.”

Hitting the field Thursday to work with trainers was Justin Ellis. He will not actually practice with his teammates, however, until next week. Depending on how they feel about his readiness, he too could potentially be brought up against the Cardinals. If Ellis isn’t deemed ready for the trip to Arizona, he would assuredly be back on the field for the trip to Baltimore on November 25.

Each activation will come with a corresponding transaction to clear a roster spot.