OTHER BATTLE FRONTS
The tight end position -- which the Raiders seemed determined to make more use of in the receiving game -- remains crowded. Against San Francisco the four caught seven passes for 129 yards including a 56-yarder to rookie Courtney Anderson and a 36-yarder to Johnson. Denard Walker, a free agent, is winning the war against 2003 No. 1 pick Nnamdi Asomugha based not only on practice sessions but Asomugha's error-filled play in both games. Although Tyrone Wheatley still has the starting tailback spot all but sewn up, Justin Fargas (six carries, 31 yards and a 6-yard touchdown against Dallas) has moved clearly ahead of Amos Zereoue (injured) and Troy Hambrick (5-for-15 vs. his old Cowboy teammates).

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
After a practice week in which he got free repeatedly, wide receiver Doug Gabriel turned it loose with his 89-yard touchdown catch and also had a 42-yard kickoff return.

ROOKIE REPORT
First round pick T Robert Gallery has been out for a week with a hyperextended elbow. ... No. 2, C Jake Grove has been physically up to the challenge but still needs the master the mental part of being the signal calling pivot if he is to surpass Adam Treu. ... No. 3 FS Stuart Schweigert just missed an interception in the closing moments of the Dallas game but clearly headed for a special teams assignment that will secure him a spot on the roster. ... No. 4 WR Carlos Francis strained a hamstring in practice and missed virtually the entire week of practice after starring in the San Francisco game. He has already made the team. ... No. 5 WR Johnnie Morant has stepped up his game significantly in practice and will make it difficult for the coaches to give him his release even though there isn't much room left in the inn. ... No 6-a DE Shawn Johnson has been sidelined for the better part of two weeks with a nagging knee injury and has yet to appear in a game. ... No. 6-b LB Cody Spencer went without a tackle in the Dallas game and will need a big game at Arizona. ... No. 7-a TE Courtney Anderson did not have a catch against Dallas after making a 56-yard reception in the opener, but continues to sparkle in practice and make the coaches consider carrying a fourth tight end. ... No. 7-b LB Andre Sommersell had a special teams tackle for the second week in a row.

INJURY REPORT
The Raiders dodged a bullet when Gallery went down screaming in pain on Aug. 16 with an elbow injury. The diagnosis was a hyperextension and although it kept Gallery out of practices and the second exhibition game, it was not as bad as it appeared at the time. He could return this week. Francis' hamstring strain was also not believed serious. He damaged it while running a fly practice in the same practice Gallery was hurt but avoided serious damage by pulling up when he felt it tighten. OLB Sam Williams suffered a torn labrum in practice, had surgery a day later and will be out for up to six weeks. His spot on the team, Turner said, was not in jeopardy. Ron Stone (hamstring) returned to practice and was well enough to earn the start at RG against Dallas. RB Amos Zereoue (leg bruise) missed the entire week and is day-to-day. DE Chris Cooper (calf) may be ready to make his first appearance of the year in Arizona.