Javon Walker's right hamstring still isn't quite right, but it has healed enough for the wide receiver to make his Raiders debut Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
"He looks good,"
Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin said. "There's still something there a little bit. I don't know that I would say he has the best burst that he's had since he's been here, but he looks like he's ready to play."
Walker missed Oakland's season opener Monday night against Denver, his former team. It hurt missing out on a shot at the Broncos, Walker said, but it was the right thing to do.
"That shows a tremendous amount of respect,"
Walker said, "and they're looking out for my best interests. I appreciate their wanting to make sure my body is ready to go."
Kiffin said he isn't sure if Walker will start opposite Ronald Curry. If he does not, Ashley Lelie would get the nod over first-game starter Johnnie Lee Higgins.
# Quote of the day: "You have to look at the history, that he doesn't keep people very long. We don't have a general manager. Everything goes through (managing general partner Al Davis). That sets up a difficult situation at times. Knowing who the owner is, you know from day one there's no job security."
— Kiffin in a conference call with Kansas City-area media on whether he worries about his job security.
# Tackle Kwame Harris (knee) and defensive end Derrick Burgess (shoulder) missed practice for a second day in a row. Kiffin said he expects both at practice today and to be available for Sunday's game. Strong safety Gibril Wilson missed practice because of an elbow injury. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall (elbow) and safety Tyvon Branch (shoulder) returned to practice and are expected to play Sunday.
# Second-year player Mario Henderson practiced in Harris' spot the past two days. He would start, if needed, Kiffin said. "Mario's had a good week of practice,"
the coach said. "If he has to go, I'm sure Mario will go in there and do well."
Henderson has not started any games in his two-year NFL career.
# Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is scheduled to speak to 250 or so Oakland-area kids Tuesday about the values and positive messages that can be gleaned from a new movie called "The Express,"
which then will be shown. The event is taking place at Regal Jack London as part of the "NFL Day at the movies with Regal Entertainment Group."
