Has Darren McFadden played his final game with the Oakland Raiders? The running back has not been active since Thanksgiving and while he plans on making an attempt at playing in Week 16, his future remains uncertain. Given the Raiders losing season, everyone is on the hot seat, including one of the highest -paid players on the team.
There is no question that when healthy, McFadden is one of the better running backs in the NFL. However, he is never healthy and the Raiders have had enough of his inconsistencies. Injuries have once again been the headline of his season. The last time the veteran was on the field was Week 13 where he rushed a total of five times. According to ESPN.com, McFadden is hopeful he can practice on Wednesday and play by Sunday.
"I've dealt with so much criticism for so long I've always just, you just have to turn your face to it. You can't pay attention to it. You have to stay positive and focus on the task at hand," McFadden said, via ESPN.com
At this point in the season, the Raiders are starting to evaluate which players will be on the books for the 2014 season and which players will be gone. McFadden's contract is up in two weeks. The Raiders opted not to discuss a new deal during the last offseason, hoping his pending free agent status would push out better results. That was not the case. When the new regime of ownership and management stepped in, McFadden was one of the two highest-paid players on the team to not get a new deal. Darrius Heyward-Bey was the other and he was cut.
McFadden will get the Heyward-Bey treatment this offseason. The wide receiver failed to produce during his tenure. There were younger layers fighting for his spot and proving they were worthy of getting a look as starters. McFadden has not produced this season and Rashad Jennings and Marcel Reece are ready to take over.
McFadden is averaging 3.5 yards per carry. Both Jennings and Reece are putting up 4.7 yards per carry. Both have exceled in pass protection and have proven to have capable hands to assist the quarterback. With McFadden out and Reece and Jennings in, the Oakland offense has appeared to be in better rhythm.
"I don't really think about it as an individual," Reece said. "It is important for us to get into rhythm as an offense, to stay on schedule. To get three, four yards on first down, to keep things manageable on third down so they can't get into those abstract blitzes. Our playbook opens up. As an individual you really don't think about it."
Is McFadden done in Oakland? Yes. The Raiders will likely look towards free agency to sign another solid running back to hopefully better the rotation with Reece and Jennings.
