Raiders’ Charles Woodson thriving under Tony Sparano

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Charles Woodson and Marshawn Lynch exchanged their No.24 jerseys after an August preseason game, and the Oakland safety’s jersey still hangs in Lynch’s cubicle in the Seahawks’ locker room.

They meet again Sunday, and they might not be as happy to see each other. Woodson’s role has changed since the 38-year-old re-signed with the Raiders this offseason, as interim head coach Tony Sparano has him playing in the box more often, close to the line of scrimmage.

It’s one of the reasons, along with the improving play of outside linebackers Khalil Mack and Sio Moore, that Oakland’s run defense has improved. The Raiders have allowed only 2.93 yards per carry since Sparano replaced the fired Dennis Allen three games ago. That’s second in the league in that span to the Broncos’ 2.85.

Woodson had a couple of third-down stops among his six tackles against the Browns on Sunday. The free safety also had a pass defensed and just missed pulling down his third interception of the season.

“When you watch how Charles Woodson played in the game the other day, to me, it’s absolutely amazing,” Sparano said.

The eight-time Pro Bowler has 45 tackles.

Charles Woodson nearly intercepts a pass in Cleveland. Woodson has two picks this season. Charles Woodson nearly intercepts a pass in Cleveland. Woodson has two picks this season. Photo: PHIL MASTURZO / McClatchy-Tribune News Service Photo: PHIL MASTURZO / McClatchy-Tribune News Service Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Raiders’ Charles Woodson thriving under Tony Sparano 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Oakland (0-7) still allows an NFL-high 48.5 percent on third-down conversions. The Raiders did hold Cleveland to 2-for-12 on third downs and hope to build off that to slow down Lynch and quarterback Russell Wilson on Sunday.

Putting Woodson in the box more often as opposed to playing back seems to have been a good starting point.

“It went back to the bye week and evaluating kind of, is this what these players’ strengths are? And, let’s try to have as many guys do what they do well,” Sparano said.

He went back to his coaching days with the Dolphins and Jets, when he thought Woodson, on the Packers then, posed a problem when he was creeping toward the line of scrimmage.

“Trying to block the guy and him being around there, that’s a pain in the neck,” Sparano said. “When he’s down in there and you’re not sure and you’ve got to account for him … if you don’t, he’s going to find a way to make the play.

“He’s been around the ball that way and has made a lot of plays in the last couple of weeks.”

Defensive coordinator Jason Tarver has loved Woodon’s versatility, especially after season-ending injuries to strong safeties Tyvon Branch and Usama Young. Woodson adapts quickly, and Tarver hopes the young players are paying attention.

“He can see a call and practice it once or twice and get it right,” Tarver said. “Both by his athletic ability and his mind. He can focus.

“That’s one of the things that we’re working on with our young guys is, 'Hey, you may not be able to play with this guy forever.’ This is a Hall of Fame mind-set. When you tell him to do something, he learns it and he locks it in and he does it.”

Meanwhile, cornerback Carlos Rogers (knee) did not practice for a second straight day with a knee injury. The former 49er has been taking a day off a week to rest his knee, but this is the first time he has needed two. Receiver Kenbrell Thompkins (personal issues) also was not at practice.

Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: vtafur@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VicTafur