Raiders’ Justin Ellis on practice return: ‘I was smiling inside’

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ALAMEDA — The Raiders don’t have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving when it comes to football matters, but getting their starting nose tackle back is reason to rejoice.

Veteran Justin “Jelly” Ellis strained ligaments in his foot during the Raiders’ Week 1 loss to the Rams, and Thursday he practiced for the first time since Sept. 10 with a “designated to return” status. The Raiders have 21 days to activate Ellis or put him on season-ending injured reserve, and they can elevate him to the 53-man roster at any time during that stretch.

Ellis, a 2014 fourth-round pick of the Raiders, signed a three-year contract…