Oakland Raiders

Mike Mitchell a scratch

As suspected, rookie strong safety Mike Mitchell will miss his first chance to lay out an NFL player when the Raiders host the Cowboys in Thursday's exhibition season opener at The Coliseum.

Mitchell is out with a strained hamstring, the same injury that cost him a month of offseason training.

"Disappointing," Raiders coach Tom Cable said after a walk-through in Napa. "It is a strain so it's going to be a little while. How long, we don't know. You've just got to deal with it, rehab and get him back."

As for the rest of the team ...

** First-round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey is good to go after a limited Tuesday practice. Cable said he will probably start and play the first half.

** Strongside linebacker Jon Alston is questionable with a foot injury. Either way, Ricky Brown will start at that spot with Kirk Morrison starting at middle linebacker.

** As expected, left guard Robert Gallery will not play as he eases back from an appendectomy. Chris Morris will start in his place.

** Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush will all play in the first half as Cable initiates his plan to use all three in the same game plan.

** JaMarcus Russell and the starters will play one quarter. He'll be replaced by Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye as they split the next three quarters.

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