Barnes takes part in full practice

Khalif Barnes took part in a full practice Wednesday for the first time since fracturing his left ankle in training camp but is likely still another week or two from playing.

Barnes, who signed with the Raiders as a free agent in the offseason after spending his first four years in the NFL in Jacksonville, moved around well and took part in all of the drills, an encouraging sign for the 325-pounder who was inactive for the season-opening loss to San Diego.

“I’m just trying to go out there and practice every day,” Barnes said. “I think I can go. As long as it doesn’t swell up too bad on me, I can go and give some guys some break.”

Barnes was projected to push Mario Henderson for the starting left tackle job, with the thought being that the loser in that battle would possibly move to the right side where Cornell Green has had his share of problems in the past.

But Oakland coach Tom Cable swatted that idea down earlier this week, saying he preferred keeping Barnes on the left as a backup tackle and guard.

While Barnes expected the news that he would remain left tackle Mario Henderson’s backup, he was admittedly surprised to here he might spend time at guard.

“That’s interesting. That shocks me, too,” Barnes said. “That’s kind of like in an HBO miniseries or something when the actors come in and then they go on the Jay Leno Show and they can’t tell you the ending. They don’t know. They haven’t been given the script yet. They just tell them to go in there and act.”