Gareon Conley back practicing for Raiders

Monday there is an entirely unfamiliar sight at Raiders training camp practice — Gareon Conley suited up and practicing. The former top pick has appeared in just one training camp practice in now his second season with the Raiders.

The one practice in which he participated was the first day of this year’s camp. He suffered a hip injury that day and hadn’t practiced since. He missed all of last year’s camp with a shin injury. That same shin injury had him out all but two games last season as well.

Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has said several times they are counting on Conley to return and be a starter for this team. Conley was suited up prior to Friday’s preseason game against the Lions, and though he didn’t play in the game, afterward Gruden said he expected Conley back today and expressed his happiness at that fact.

“Yeah that was great. Gareon’s got a chance to be back with us on the practice field Monday. And close to full go, too,” said Gruden. “He’s really close. He’s really healed quickly and my prayers have been answered.”

We keep hoping Conley will get past his injury issues mainly because he didn’t have injury issues in college, so there was no reason to think he would be this injury prone in the pros.

There are four days remaining in this year’s camp.