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myNFLnews · #1 (**permalink**) September 24th, 2009

Javon Walker said he is healthy, happy and performing as well as any of the wide receivers on the Raiders roster. As for why he isn't playing much, he has no idea.

"I don't know what he's looking at," Walker said in response to coach Tom Cable saying Walker needs work getting in and out of breaks, running fast and separating from cornerbacks.

"I feel like I'm doing fine. I'm sure there's more stuff going on than what we know, but I'm saying I can run, play. ... So, it ain't nothing wrong with my in and out, coming out of breaks. I do it with the best of them. I do it with any other receiver here, plain and simple."

Walker wasn't active for Oakland's season opener against the San Diego Chargers. He played four downs against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, in part because of injuries to Chaz Schilens, Nick Miller and Johnnie Lee Higgins.

He said he understands Cable's desire to play some of the younger receivers. He doesn't comprehend how his inactivity is being characterized as having something to do with his ability.

"I'm doing the same thing that any receiver here is doing," said Walker, who underwent knee surgery in the offseason. "So, I can sit (out) as long as there's other reasons behind it, but (I shouldn't be) sitting because I can't come in and out of breaks, because I can do that."

Walker said he routinely makes plays against Oakland's first-team defense in practice and that he is 100 percent healthy.

Cable said Walker is caught in the proverbial numbers game, playing only when a certain situation dictates.

"(It's about) who has been productive," Cable said. "That's number one, and we're about to get very healthy there, too."

# Upon further review, Cable said he has decided to leave Chris Morris at center and use Erik Pears as the replacement for Robert Gallery at left guard.

Cable moved Morris to left guard when Gallery went down with a broken left leg late in the Chiefs game and inserted Samson Satele into the center spot.

However, Cable doesn't want to take Morris out of the center position because of his importance as the signal-caller and the person who anchors the line. Also, Satele struggled during training camp and exhibition games.

# Higgins returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since he sustained a sprained right shoulder against the Chargers on Sept. 14.

Higgins fielded punts and caught passes in practice, though he was limited overall. Cable said he's confident Higgins will be able to play Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

# Cable said, "Haven't heard a word," when asked if he has been contacted by the Napa Police Dept. in regard to an incident during training camp in which defensive assistant Randy Hanson claims he was assaulted by another member of the Raiders coaching staff.

The Napa police are investigating Hanson's claim. A spokesman said his department doesn't have anything new to report at this time.

The NFL also is investigating the matter. Cable was identified as the alleged attacker.

By Steve Corkran
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