Defensive lineman Ward back on field

The Raiders hope they got a big push Tuesday with the return of defensive lineman Jihad Ward to the practice field.

His strength has not been in question, and now that Ward is back from a foot injury, Oakland head coach Jack Del Rio thinks Ward will be able to help after a rocky first season.

“As a rookie, you learn the ropes, you learn the kind of things that are going to come up,” Del Rio said, “and you’re a little more comfortable in your own skin and what you’re being asked to do within the scheme.”

Ward, a 6-foot-5, 295-pound, second-round pick from Illinois, had 31 tackles and a recovered fumble in 16 games last season. He was supposed be brought along slowly but had to start 13 games with Mario Edwards Jr. nursing a hip injury.

“He’s a good young player that had a really strong offseason,” Del Rio said. “We’re excited about letting him compete and letting him show us what he can do. I know he’s a big, strong, athletic guy. Great to have him back.”

Ward can play inside or outside on the front line. And he won’t be inside his own head.

“Your first year coming here, you’re thinking too much,” Ward said. “Now it’s like, ‘OK, I get it now.’ That’s how it is for all rookies. They just have to learn what’s going on. Everything is easier now.”

Ward said the Raiders are not a one-man defense. Or, they can’t be if they want to reach their goals.

“People have a habit of thinking one man can do it all,” Ward said. “For instance, Khalil Mack, he’s a good player. He’s the Defensive Player of the Year and all that, but he still needs us. We’re all we’ve got, and that’s all we need.” Briefly: Left tackle Donald Penn, expected to return this week from his holdout, was not at the start of Tuesday’s practice. “It would obviously mean a lot, if that’s what he decides to do,” quarterback Derek Carr said before practice. “He’s our teammate. We want all of our teammates here. We want to work hard together, we want to be together, we want to joke together. It’s more than just football.” ... Del Rio said that receiver Seth Roberts was a late scratch from the Rams game because of illness.