NAPA, Calif. (AP) - Oakland Raiders cornerback Ron Bartell was removed from the non-football related injury list on Sunday and expects to play in the team's preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 13.
But according to terms in the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the players, Bartell will have to wait three days before being cleared to fully practice. He can take part in individual drills and any walkthrough portions of practice but must be held out of all contact situations.
It's kind of a carbon copy of college rules,'' Bartell said.I understand why they do it. I can't really complain about it. I'm just happy to finally be able to get back out on the field.''
Bartell, who missed most of the 2011 season with a broken neck, reported to training camp with a hamstring injury and has spent most of the past week working out alone or with a trainer while the remainder of the team practiced on an adjacent field.
The 30-year-old Bartell felt good enough to practice on Sunday but the new CBA rules wouldn't allow it.
Tomorrow, he'll be able to be out in non-contact situations, much like the team was when we came out and practiced early in the week,'' Raiders coach Dennis Allen said.Day Two and Day Three are the same, and then full contact on Day Four.''
Bartell shouldn't have much of an issue getting caught up.
Projected as one of two new starters in Oakland's secondary, Bartell was with the Raiders throughout their offseason program and took part in both of the team's minicamps. He has also stayed active in training camp, watching practice when he wasn't rehabbing.
I know the defense, I'm comfortable with it,'' Bartell said.I paid pretty good attention in the meeting room, the film room and at practice. The only thing that I may be behind on is my technique and timing of things. But it is camp so I still have time to get caught up on that aspect of it.''
More concerning to the Raiders, however, is Bartell's health after he missed 15 games with St. Louis last season with a broken neck.
The hamstring injury sustained in the offseason has healed enough to allow Bartell to return to practice, but he acknowledged he isn't completely recovered.
It's football so you're going to deal with some pain, but as long as I'm able to run without restriction I'm fine,'' Bartell said.I can deal with the pain. The issue is being able to run without restriction. I'm past that part of it.''
Bartell's first full practice will be Wednesday, five days before the Raiders' first preseason game. While he has yet to get assurance he will play, Bartell said he expects to be on the field for that game.
Barring a setback, I don't think it will be a question if I'm playing or not,'' Bartell said.They did a great job of conditioning me while I was out. The only thing I'm kind of leery about is my timing and technique because I haven't been going against guys live in a while.''
Second-year player DeMarcus Van Dyke has been taking the reps at left cornerback while Bartell has been out.
The Raiders also waived defensive tackle Travis Ivey on Sunday.
Ivey, who spent part of last season on the Raiders practice squad, hadn't practiced with the team since failing a conditioning run on the eve of the camp. Oakland now has 88 players on its roster.
Notes: RB Taiwan Jones injured a hamstring late in practice but it doesn't appear too serious. ... TE Richard Gordon (hip flexor, lower leg infection) returned to practice and didn't show any lingering effects. ... Punter Shane Lechler (knee), linebacker Aaron Curry (knee), and wide receivers Denarius Moore (hamstring) and Eddie McGee (hamstring) were held out of the workout.
