Oakland Raiders

Raiders middle linebacker Kirk Morrison, by all appearances, was a made man.

He led the Raiders in tackles for the third straight year. His 135 tackles last season were fifth most in the NFL. He even walked the red carpet at the ESPY awards during the offseason.

Then, Morrison came to training camp two weeks ago and ... had to fight for his own job?

"I know how this business is," Morrison said Monday after getting a full day's turn with the first-team defense in Napa. "The organization is always trying to replace you no matter what.

"I've got to go out and prove myself to them on an everyday basis, regardless how many years you have been here or what you've accomplished in this league."

Spoken like a fired-up player with no inclination to run with the twos.

Morrison is sharing first-team snaps with Ricky Brown, last year's starting strongside linebacker who is competing for Morrison's job while also preparing to be his backup.

Coach Tom Cable said he simply wants to create competition in training camp. It's worth noting only three of 11 defensive positions have players splitting first-team playing time: middle linebacker, strongside linebacker and left cornerback.

The last two positions brought back first-time starters. Morrison has started every season since the Raiders drafted him in 2005.

"He's handling the competition well," Cable said. "He has to. He doesn't have a choice."

Morrison gets it. He watched NFL Network in his hotel room the other night. The Ravens' 2000 season was featured as quarterback Trent Dilfer led them to a Super Bowl victory.

One year later, Dilfer was released. Now, Morrison isn't saying the Raiders are about to cut him. It's just that his first three seasons won't do him much good this month with Brown eating at his playing time.

"It just shows you nothing in this league, no matter what you do, is given to you," Morrison said. "All those numbers and stats, about being fifth in the league, it sometimes may not be good enough.

"There's always critics ... you made too many tackles 5-6 yards down the field. You guys still have a bad run defense. ... So it doesn't really matter."

Morrison knows how to keep his job: Stay in his gap. Trust his teammates to be in the right spot. Get to the line of scrimmage and stop the run. Repeat.

"This keeps me hungry, keeps me focused," Morrison said. "Just trying to leave no doubt."

Gallery returns: Left guard Robert Gallery practiced for the first time Monday since undergoing an emergency appendectomy in mid-July.

He did so five days ahead of schedule, jumping right in there for team drills with the first-team offense.

Asked if he practiced with any limitations, Gallery joked: "I am fat."

He won't play in Thursday's exhibition opener against the visiting Cowboys.

He's back: Rookie wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey returned from a one-day layoff with a sore toe and put on a show.

He made a one-handed cradle catch after running down a sideline catch. He also made a tight catch over the middle in heavy traffic, something he hadn't done in camp.

Briefly: Strongside linebacker Jon Alston is out with a left foot injury, so rookie Slade Norris took his snaps. ... Running back Justin Fargas (hip) also sat out practice. Safety Michael Huff (ribs) and defensive end Greg Ellis (back) were limited.