The Oakland Raiders are looking to bounce back after a sloppy loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. While Derek Carr has been getting the passing game moving recently thanks to big plays from Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, the run game needs to follow suit. Latavius Murray suffered a concussion in Week 9, but is expected to make a full return in time for Sunday's game.
According to head coach Jack Del Rio via NFL.com, "all signs" point to Murray being healthy and ready to play against the Minnesota Vikings. Murray has been going through the NFL concussion protocol so there is a chance the running back does not get cleared in time to play on Sunday, but Del Rio admits he is confident which is good news for Carr and company.
If Murray was unable to play, Taiwan Jones would likely take his place. The backup running back has seen some breakout moments this year, but nothing consistent and he has struggled with fumbles. Marcel Reece would have to step up if the starter is held out. The fullback could be a quality replacement in terms of fantasy considering he is averaging 4.7 yards per carry along with 10.0 yards per catch. The Raiders have been trying to find more ways to utilize Reece's versatility and this would be a start. Murray's absence would be a big hit to the Raiders' offense that could be slowed down as a result.
By all accounts, the Raiders are more than exceeding expectations at this point in the season and a lot of it has to do with Murray along with the improved play of Carr who has been thriving thanks to Crabtree and Cooper. The biggest improvement for the Raiders needs to be help from depth in the roster. Outside Crabtree and Cooper, the talent and consistency is a big drop off. Seth Roberts has made a few big moves. Andre Holmes has showed up a few times. Mychal Rivera and Clive Walford continue to battle. Having more consistency to work with on the field will allow the Raiders to open the playbook more with the improved arm of Carr. The quarterback is determined to keep momentum moving forward as he hopes the Raiders continue to feel like underdogs.
"There's been times when guys get excited and all that and there's time when guys get too low and I tell them all the time, 'Hey, just stay like this.'" Carr said via SFGate.com. "Because if you start going up and down with this game, you'll be a head case because there's too much of that. We just have to keep down. And as long as our head is down and we keep the same routine every week. Keep your routine, and if there's something you can get better at, change your routine. Make it better. But don't get caught up in all the stuff that happens outside of this."