Raiders-Chargers game expected to stay in Oakland despite wildfires

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Barring an unforeseen development, Oakland it is.

The Raiders’ game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers is expected to remain at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. There was discussion about moving it, perhaps 27 miles southeast to Santa Clara, in response to wildfire-worsened air quality conditions. But the team announced Friday that the game won’t be moved.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1:25 p.m. (KLAS-8).

“It looks like we’ll play here,” coach Jack Del Rio said of Oakland. “Should go off. I think Cal plays tonight (in Berkeley). Stanford plays Saturday (in Palo Alto). We’ll get an indication. I think we’re going to be fine. Obviously, it’s a serious situation what’s going on up north. A lot of people have had their lives turned upside down. Some people have lost their lives; it’s a tough deal.

“The smoke part of it for us, we adjusted during the week. We did the best we could with the situation. Now, we’re looking forward to going out and playing good football. We really need to play some good football.”

The Raiders (2-3) adjusted Wednesday’s practice, making it shorter and not in pads. Thursday’s session was abridged, too, and held earlier in the day.

Instead of unnecessarily exposing the team to air quality conditions that the Environmental Protection Agency deemed “unhealthy,” the team had at least one walk-through practice indoors inside its performance center, a source said.

The team also spent additional time in meetings.

“Sunday’s game against the Chargers remains scheduled for 1:25 p.m. at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum,” the Raiders said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor air quality conditions in the Bay Area and will update the public with any changes via our social media channels.”

Rookie to resume practice

Obi Melifonwu is right on schedule.

The safety and second-round pick underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in August and was placed on injured reserve in early September. He is eligible to practice next week and be activated to play as early as Nov. 5 against the Miami Dolphins.

Melifonwu will hit the first benchmark and contend for the second. His status for Miami will be evaluated as he goes.

This season, NFL teams can activate up to two players from injured reserve in the same season. Melifonwu and guard-tackle Denver Kirkland (foot) are the top candidates.

Carr in, others out

Quarterback Derek Carr will play Sunday. The same can’t be said for four players on the Raiders’ 53-man roster.

Cornerback Gareon Conley (shin), cornerback Antonio Hamilton (knee), linebacker Marquel Lee (ankle) and fullback Jamize Olawale (concussion) were ruled out on Friday’s injury report. Three others were listed as questionable to face the Chargers: linebacker Cory James (knee), cornerback David Amerson (shoulder) and running back DeAndre Washington (hamstring).

Neither Carr (back) nor right guard Gabe Jackson (foot) was on the final injury report. Both missed one game.

James is expected to start Sunday. In Lee’s absence, undrafted rookie linebacker Nicholas Morrow figures to be busy. Morrow said he grew up watching tight end Antonio Gates’ pivot route, a staple of the future Pro Football Hall of Famer’s game. The route features Gates running several yards, coming to a stop with his back to the secondary and then using his leverage to win separation.

“I’ve been seeing that since I was little, just watching him play,” Morrow said. “He’s definitely perfected it, boxing out like a basketball player. … It’s crazy. Instead of watching him on TV, I’m watching him on my iPad.”

The team has a second receiving threat at tight end in Hunter Henry. The 2016 second-round pick offers better blocking and more speed than the 37-year-old Gates.

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Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @GehlkenNFL on Twitter.