Raiders notes: Allen's father dies; coach is expected back tonight

ALAMEDA – Coach Dennis Allen will have a heavy heart when the Raiders play the Denver Broncos on Thursday night.

The Raiders confirmed Tuesday that Allen's father, former NFL linebacker Grady Allen, 66, died overnight from heart problems.

Dennis Allen left the team after Sunday's 20-17 loss to Cleveland to be with his family in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas.

Allen is expected to rejoin the Raiders tonight after being absent for the short week of preparation and plans to coach Thursday's game. Coordinators Greg Knapp and Jason Tarver have overseen practices in Allen's absence, and quarterback Carson Palmer said Knapp has filled in admirably in practice and meetings.

"Our team got together and we're going to support him and do whatever he needs us to do, and right now that's prepare for this game and get ready for the Denver Broncos," Palmer said Tuesday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family right now as they're going through this."

Broncos coach John Fox said most of his coaching staff met Allen's father when Allen was defensive coordinator in Denver last year.

Fox said he texted Allen after hearing the news.

"He's in the right place," Fox said of the Raiders coach. "Sometimes we get a little caught up in what we do for a living, but if that was something he would have asked me, I would have said you need to be with your family."

Grady Allen played in 59 games for the Atlanta Falcons from 1968 to 1972.

New face – The Raiders signed rookie running back Jamize Olawale from the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad to their 53-man roster Tuesday. A roster spot was open with middle linebacker Rolando McClain under suspension by the team.

Olawale signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of North Texas, where he played wide receiver his senior season, caught eight passes and did not have a carry. A native of San Francisco, he attended El Camino College in Torrance, where Raiders fullback Marcel Reece played.

Olawale said he hadn't been told whether he will be active for Thursday's game.

Injury update – Safeties Mike Mitchell and Matt Giordano, who both sustained concussions in Sunday's loss, practiced Tuesday. A team spokesman said both passed all concussion tests to be cleared to return.

Cornerback Phillip Adams, who also suffered a concussion, didn't practice. Defensive tackle Richard Seymour (knee/hamstring), who has missed the last four games, was the only other player not practicing.

Offensive tackle Khalif Barnes (triceps), wide receiver Juron Criner (shoulder) and tight end Brandon Myers (shoulder) were new to the injury report Tuesday and listed as limited in practice.

• Read more articles by Matt Kawahara

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