Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Darrell Russell returned to practice Friday after missing the past two days for what Coach Jon Gruden termed "personal reasons."

Several recent reports claim Russell tested positive for the drug Ecstasy and faces a one-year suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy for the third time. Russell reportedly appealed his suspension Thursday in New York.

Russell arrived at the Raiders' training facility late Friday morning, well after practice began. Gruden said Russell got back into town about an hour or so earlier. Russell brushed past reporters who awaited his arrival and joined his teammates at practice.

When asked if he knew the results of his appeal, Russell said: "I guess we'll find out. I'm sure somebody will leak it to (the media). They've leaked everything else."

Gruden said he remains under the impression that Russell is eligible to play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I expect him to play, yes," Gruden said. "I've not been told differently. So, we'll just get him up to speed and put him in there."

Gruden said defensive line coach Mike Waufle likely would spend extra time with Russell and go over the game plan with Russell.

Russell missed Oakland's first four games this season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. He returned Oct. 8 and played the past seven games. Gruden said Russell is scheduled to start Sunday for the fourth straight game.

Russell later issued the following statement:

"It is inappropriate for me to discuss any of my personal matters at this time," Russell said. "I want to continue to focus on the season and specifically our next opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I also want to continue to focus on the team and, as coach Gruden says, the `bull's eye.' Please, respect my rights to privacy. When appropriate and proper, I will discuss matters publicly."

Watters set for return

Seattle running back Ricky Watters, sidelined nine weeks by a shoulder injury, is expected to see action in a backup role Sunday against Denver. Second-year back Shaun Alexander, the third-leading rusher in the AFC with 981 yards, will remain in the starting lineup.

"I suppose everybody could make a big deal out of who starts and all that, but we need them both to play," coach Mike Holmgren said Friday. "I don't think (who starts) is very important."

Seahawks defensive tackle Chad Eaton was fined $12,500 by the NFL for slamming San Diego quarterback Doug Flutie to the ground. The Seahawks said Friday that Eaton plans to appeal.

Holmgren said Alexander would not necessarily be the starter for the remainder of the season.

Watters, speaking to the media for the first time since he was injured, said he did not expect to start in his first game back.

"All I can do is come back and show that I'm ready to play the whole game," Watters said. "That's the question: whether I can play the whole game and hold up. Initially I said, 'I'm back, I'm ready to go.' But I haven't played a game in nine weeks.

"I have to go in there and hopefully I'll play well, and then we'll just go from there. That's all I can determine. I just want to play. I want to win, get to the playoffs. If we get to the Super Bowl, there's going to be enough for everybody to pass around as far as accolades and things of that nature."

Watters has rushed for 1,000 or more yards in each of the past six seasons, a streak that will end this year.

· Vikings: Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper's injured knee has improved a lot and he feels good enough to start against Tennessee on Sunday. "It feels a lot better," Culpepper said Friday. "I've just been getting treatment and making sure I'm getting the proper amount of rest every day and just trying to heal up."

Culpepper struggled in last week's 21-16 loss at Pittsburgh while playing with a strained ligament in his left knee. Backup Todd Bouman came on in the third quarter and threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns.

Culpepper has had limited practice time this week. He rode a stationary bike on Wednesday, and split practice time with Bouman on Thursday and Friday.

Vikings coach Dennis Green won't announce who will start at quarterback until right before Sunday's game so the Titans will have to prepare for both.

· Chargers: San Diego rookie cornerback Tay Cody will miss Sunday's game at Philadelphia with a sprained right ankle. Davis Sanchez will replace Cody in the starting lineup. The Chargers added depth at cornerback by signing Scott Turner on Wednesday.

· Giants: New York probably won't know until game time whether wide receiver Joe Jurevicius (pulled hamstring) will play against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Coach Jim Fassel said Thabiti Davis and Ron Dixon would fill in as the Giants' third receiver if Jurevicius can't play. Davis sustained a hip flexor Wednesday and Dixon hurt his arm. Both are expected to play. "Davis is a more physical receiver," Fassel said. "He's more of an inside guy and Dixon is more of an outside guy. Because he's more physical, Davis can go inside and be a receiver that works off linebackers. Dixon is more of an outside, one-on-one type guy."