Raiders Notebook: Raiders have work to do during bye week

It's bye week for the Raiders, but they won't really be off on their days off.

Quarterback Carson Palmer says he won’t be resting during the Raiders’ four days off, especially after Oakland’s disappointing start. (US Presswire)

The Raiders finished their second and final practice of the bye week Wednesday and will have four days off, thanks to the CBA. They'll reconvene Monday in Alameda, Calif.

But QB Carson Palmer said the next four days will be more like a working vacation for him and many of his teammates.

"It's not four days off," Palmer said. "That's something you've really got to relay to young guys. You don't just sit on the couch and watch TV. Everybody's taking home film. I know I've got a bunch of stuff on my computer I need to watch, and even young guys are taking home film. ... It's a chance to get some rest physically but not mentally.

"That's something coach (Dennis Allen) really emphasized. You can go one of two ways. You can say, 'Screw it, I'm going to Vegas and party for four days,' and that's not what this team is about. Most of these guys are sticking around, are going to come in and work out. Guys understand we've got a lot of football left, and it's not time just to relax. It's time to get healthy but continue to work, to work out and stay in shape and be ready to go on Monday."

Before taking a brief break this weekend, Allen and his assistants will continue evaluating the entire team, which is off to a disappointing 1-3 start.

"We had two good days of work," Allen said. "Our guys were focused and attentive in trying to get better. That's what you try to do on the bye week. I told them to take some time off and relax and reflect and be ready to come back with a smile on their face ready to go to work on Monday to get ready for Atlanta.

"The players are going to be off, but the coaches are still going to have some time to work. We'll continue to look at every phase of what we're doing, how we're doing it, who's doing it, and we're going to put the plan together that we feel gives us the best opportunity to win."

Heyward-Bey update: Starting WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (concussion) practiced for the second-straight day. He missed last week's game against Denver after taking a helmet-to helmet hit from Pittsburgh S Ryan Mundy and being knocked out the week before. "He looked fine," Allen said. "He's not quite fully back, but obviously there's been a lot of improvement, so that's encouraging."

Injury report: Starting RT Khalif Barnes (groin) and starting right CB Shawntae Spencer (sprained right foot) missed practice again. They've both missed the past two games and could well miss next week's game against Atlanta. Barnes underwent a surgical procedure on Sept. 21. Backup TE Richard Gordon (hamstring), who missed the Denver game, did not practice.

Extra points: Starting DT Richard Seymour was excused from practice for "personal reasons," Allen said. ... DE Andre Carter, who signed as a free agent last Wednesday, didn't play against Denver, but Allen said "he had two good days of practice this week, so he's getting closer to being ready." ... The Raiders share the Oakland Coliseum with the A's, who won the American League West title Wednesday. There could be a potential conflict with the Raiders' Oct. 21 game against Jacksonville if the A's reach the A.L. Championship Series. The NFL is "monitoring" the situation, which could result in the Raiders game being moved from Sunday to Monday night.

Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter @CBSRaiders.