The Oakland Raiders and the Washington Redskins played on Sunday in California and while the Raiders lost the game, each team finished with a banged up starting running back, as Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden were both injured in the Week 4 contest and could be questionable going forward in Week 5.
The Raiders could not afford to lose McFadden and he cannot afford to be seriously injured, as this is a contract season for him and if he can't stay on the field yet again, there is no way the Raiders will re-sign him. McFadden has not played in more than 13 games in any season and with the team also losing Marcel Reece in the game as well, Rashad Jennings now is the top handcuff option for the Raiders at running back.
It had appeared through three weeks that McFadden was going to be healthy for at least the first part of the season, but now that he suffered a hamstring injury, things could be tough as those can linger. Last week he had just nine yards on 12 carries against the Broncos, but before that he had 129 yards against the Jaguars to go along with four catches for 28 yards, but after leaving the game Sunday, he finished with just 29 yards on the ground and zero receptions.
McFadden can be an explosive back, but he has problems staying healthy and on the field and now he has 215 yards this season with two touchdowns and he could miss time moving forward depending on how bad his injury is. Jennings came in and was able to pick up the offense right away, adding 45 yards on 15 carries and also adding eight receptions for 71 yards and that could be huge going forward for the Raiders. The team likes to get the ball to backs in space and Jennings clearly has a knack for that, as he was targeted eight times.
Jennings could be a valuable addition in PPR leagues if McFadden remains out and with Reece also injured with a knee problem, he could be a productive option, especially in deeper leagues. Alfred Morris left the game as well with a rib injury, but ESPN.com reports that Morris should be fine for the teams next game against the Cowboys after a bye in Week 5.
Morris had 71 yards against the Raiders before leaving the game and since the team has a bye week, which should give him plenty of time to heal up before the Cowboys matchup. Morris was one of the most productive players in football last season and the Redskins need him to be healthy. Roy Helu is a solid insurance pickup option for Morris owners and he finished the day for him with 41 yards rushing and a TD as well as two catches for over 40 yards in the game.
