Seahawks' Charles Cross returns to limited practice before Raiders trip

Charles Cross was back on the practice field Thursday. The Seattle Seahawks' starting left tackle was listed as a limited participant, his first work since he hurt his ankle against Kansas City in Week 7, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson. Cross has missed the last two games and did not practice Wednesday, so Thursday's work was the first sign he is moving toward a return.

It may not be in time for Las Vegas. Field Gulls of SB Nation expects Seattle to bring Cross along slowly and start Josh Jones at left tackle again on Sunday. The site sees the bye week after the Raiders game as the more realistic time for him to return. Seattle Sports took a more hopeful view and said the limited tag gives him at least a chance to play this week.

The rest of the injury report barely changed. Seahawks.com reported that Jaxon Smith-Njigba took full reps after a rest day Wednesday and that tight end AJ Barner was removed from the report entirely. Earlier in the week, head coach Mike Macdonald said quarterback Sam Darnold (ribs, quadriceps) and guard Quenton Nelson (knee) will not play in Las Vegas, according to the team site. Neither practiced Thursday, and neither did defensive tackles Leonard Williams (stinger) and Brandon Pili (back). Defensive tackle Jarran Reed missed a second straight day for a personal matter. Quarterback Drew Lock (right elbow, oblique) was limited again, as were edge rushers Uchenna Nwosu and Derick Hall.

There was better news at receiver. Rashid Shaheed was a full participant for the second straight day and looks on track to play after missing two games, according to ESPN. Field Gulls counted 15 Seahawks on the report and four Raiders.

What it means for Sunday in Las Vegas

Seattle is 5-4 and has alternated wins and losses for the last month. The Seahawks beat Kansas City 20-3, lost to Chicago 34-17, then beat Arizona 17-3 last week. The defense has held three of its last four opponents to three points or 17. The offense has been less steady. Seattle has topped 20 points only once in its last five games, and it will play Sunday without its starting quarterback and starting left guard. If Cross is out too, three regular starters on offense will be missing.

The market still has Seattle as a clear favorite. Novig has the Seahawks favored at -264 on the moneyline, with the Raiders at +257. The spread is 6.5 points, with Seattle -102 and Las Vegas -100. The total sits at 40.5 on Novig, while BetRivers lists the over at 40 for -120. That low total fits a team that has been winning with defense. The 12 venues on our odds board are close to one another, with sportsbook hold running from 3.4% to 5.5% on the moneyline and 2.9% to 4.8% on the spread.

Watch Friday's report for Cross's status. A full practice would open the door for him to play Sunday. Another limited day would point toward Jones starting again, with Cross aiming to return after the bye. Kickoff is Sunday on CBS. Follow the rest of the season on our Seahawks team page.