The Oakland Raiders have been hit hard by the injury bug after Week 12. With a Thanksgiving Day game against the Dallas Cowboys approaching on short rest, the team could be without several star players. Head coach Dennis Allen notes that there is not a lot of time for recovery this week and players will really have to step up and take the pain this week.
"We're cramming all of our preparation into about a two and a half day window, whereas normally you're going to have four days to really get prepared for the game. So, mentally, the key, because you're not going to get a ton of full speed reps, mentally, the key is focusing in on the reps that you do get, the walk-through type of reps, so you can execute on Thursday," Allen said, via the Dallas Morning News.
Monday's practice actually brought a few positives as far as injuries go. Tight end Mychal Rivera returned after being ruled with a concussion suffered against the Tennessee Titans. Allen reports the tight end passed all concussion tests and was likely to play against the Cowboys. Left tackle Jared Veldheer will also be expected to play. The veteran had been out since training camp, but will come as a nice bit of added protection for quarterback Matt McGloin.
The biggest unknowns for Thursday are running back Darren McFadden and wide receiver Denarius Moore. McFadden was back at practice on Monday after missing the last few games with a hamstring injury while the receiver was nowhere to be found.
Allen noted the veteran running back was expected to play on Thursday, but fantasy owners should refrain from giving the back a shot at creating points. Rashad Jennings has emerged as a clear starter and a quality on at that. In the past three weeks, he is averaging 116.7 yards per game rushing, along with 3.7 catches. In each of those games, he has at least 22 touches. McFadden should really be cut from any roster at this point in the year. His future as a true fantasy player is over just like his long-term career in Oakland.
Moore is not expected to be active against the Cowboys. The wide receiver continues to suffer from a shoulder injury, leaving Allen to assume he will not play. The head coach did offer up that quarterback Terrelle Pryor could have played in Week 12, but the team felt another week of rest would do some good. It remains to be seen Pryor will eventually take back the starting spot from McGloin.