NAPA -- A spectator, self-appointed assistant coach and cheerleader for nine practices, receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey got into the mix Monday and fared well enough that he could see action in the preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

Heyward-Bey, out with an undisclosed injury, participated in his first full team sessions after doing little more than running a few routes uncontested by defenders in earlier practices.

On five passes thrown in his direction, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2009 draft caught four and had one drop, although a reception from Jason Campbell on a crossing route was punched loose from behind by cornerback Chris Johnson.

"I wish C.J. didn't knock that ball out, but I felt pretty good for the most part," Heyward-Bey said. "I connected with Jason and it felt good."

Coach Hue Jackson was encouraged by Heyward-Bey's training camp debut.

"He looked like a guy that's getting ready," Jackson said. "He did some good things, caught some balls, is getting back in the swing of it. It's a good time to have him back out there. Another pair of veteran legs."

Depending on how Heyward-Bey bounces back Tuesday, Jackson hoped to have him available to play Thursday night at O.co Coliseum against Arizona.

"I feel pretty good," Heyward-Bey said. "I've been doing everything I have to like everybody else, in the cold tub, taking care of our bodies. Tomorrow will be a big test, so

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we'll see."

Exactly what is being tested is still unclear. With only a few exceptions, the Raiders haven't disclosed injury specifics. Heyward-Bey said it wasn't a hamstring pull. He joked earlier in camp that he had a toothache.

  • The Raiders got in their most team session reps of camp, and with the possibility of a lighter load Tuesday and a Wednesday walk-through leading into the Arizona game.

    Jackson said he didn't plan on holding out any healthy players and hadn't determined how long the first team would play.

  • Cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke, a third-round draft pick who has been learning the hard way through camp, was in perfect position for a ball that went through the hands of Nick Miller for an interception.

  • For the first time in camp, Sebastian Janikowski kicked field goals during a team session. He went 4 for 4.

  • Jackson lost a bet to running back Michael Bennett -- the terms of which neither would reveal -- and wore hideous "highlight yellow" training shoes.

    "It's the only time in history I will ever have on these shoes," Jackson said. "After this, they're done."