Sept. 16, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) and tackle Khalif Barnes (69) against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 35-13. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

With Menelik Watson out for the last two days of Raiders practices leading up to their Week One date with the Indianapolis Colts it was expected that Khalif Barnes would be the Oakland starting left tackle on Sunday. On Friday that was confirmed by Vic Tafur as Watson missed another practice.

Khalif Barnes starting at left tackle Sunday — Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) September 6, 2013

Barnes will be linked up with recent signing Tony Pashos who know fills in the right tackle role with Barnes shifting sides in Watson’s place.

This will not be the first time that Barnes and Pashos have lined up together at left and right tackle. JBB’s Shane Schilperoort pointed out earlier that they both played and started all 16 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2008. Barnes was the starting left tackle and Pashos was the starting right tackle. During that season, RB-Maurice Jones-Drew rushed for 824 yards and 12 touchdowns, RB-Fred Taylor rushed for 556 yards and 1 touchdown, and QB-David Garrard rushed for 322 yards and 2 touchdowns. Garrard also had 3620 yards passing with 15 passing touchdowns.

That doesn’t guarantee success as that was half a decade ago, but it is at least something to ease the worries of Raider Nation as they await to see if Watson’s injury requires surgery, something that would further derail Oakland’s offensive line finally getting to full health with Veldheer on partial injury reserve.