The biggest injury concern for the Oakland Raiders heading into their matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs is at the running back position. Both Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings have been dealing with hamstring injuries and have an uncertain playing status against the Chiefs.
On Friday, McFadden’s status for Sunday’s game on the road became a bit more clear as he may be a game-time decision. McFadden talked to the media after Friday’s practice saying the following about his status via Jerry McDonald of InsideBayArea.com:
“I feel pretty good,” McFadden said following practice. “We’re just going to try and make that decision whenever it comes time to make a decision — whatever the coaches and the trainers feel like is the best for me.”
McFadden went down with the hamstring injury early in the loss to the Washington Redskins in Week 4. With McFadden out with the injury, the Raiders coaching staff leaned on new comer Rashad Jennings to shoulder the load. Jennings was able to hold his own over the past few weeks, but it didn’t take long before he also suffered the same injury.
As of right now, both Jennings and McFadden are considered questionable for Sunday’s game. Veteran fullback Marcel Reece has been given a probable status and will likely get a bulk of the carries against the Chiefs if McFadden and or Jennings are unable to go.
Even though the Chiefs are one of the best in the NFL against the pass giving up only 197.8 passing yards per game (4th in the NFL) this season, the team has struggled stopping the run. Kansas City currently 21st in the league at containing the running game giving up 115 rushing yards per contest.
With the Chiefs’ weakness on defense being against the run, the Raiders establishing the run game in Week 6 will be crucial meaning one or both of the team’s top backs needs to be on the field to give Oakland the best chance to pull off the upset.
