The Oakland Raiders have been a mess this season and in Week 6 it looks like Derek Carr will start for Matt Schaub and that is good news for fantasy football owners, while names like James Jones, Darren McFadden, Maurice Jones-Drew and Mychal Rivera are the top options from the team to get into the starting lineup for fantasy owners in the game against the Chargers.
The Raiders are coming into the week after a bye and that has given Carr time to rest up and get healthy after suffering multiple injuries against the Dolphins. According to Pro Football Talk, Carr expects to start on Sunday against the Chargers and that comes after he was able to practice on Monday without any issues. Carr injured his ankle and knee in the game against the Dolphins in London and now he looks ready to go in Week 6. The team has a tough test against the Chargers and they come in at 0-4 on the year with a new head coach.
Carr has been an up and down player to open up his career and in deeper leagues he could be a fantasy option. Dennis Allen was fired and now Tony Sparano comes in and that could help jump start the team. The Chargers won over the Seahawks this season, so a game against the Raiders shouldn't be a problem, but stranger things have happened in the NFL. For fantasy owners, the return of Carr isn't just meaningful for the QB, but also for James Jones, Darren McFadden, Maurice Jones-Drew and Mychal Rivera owners, as they get a boost from having him in.
Matt McGloin was serviceable and Matt Schaub may have been fine, but the Raiders clearly like what they have in Carr and he gives those players the best chance to perform. This season Carr has 734 yards and four touchdowns with four picks in four games this season and he will be helped along with the return of Maurice Jones-Drew to full strength as well. McFadden and Drew have not done much this season and they have a very tough test against the Chargers and their defense.
McFadden comes in after rushing for 40 yards against Miami on 11 carries and he also added four catches for 32 yards in the game. McFadden has the potential to be a great dual threat back, but he has been injury prone for his career and has yet to play in more than 13 games in a season. McFadden has been able to stay healthy for now and he comes in with 151 rushing yards and one TD along with 11 catches this season. In past years he put up highs of 1157 rush yards and 47 catches and the Raiders would love it if he could bring that to 2014.
Drew has not been a factor for most of the season and he has less than 20 touches overall in two games played after missing time with a hand injury. Drew has 12 yards on 11 carries and just four catches this season and the Raiders are hoping that he can get things going against the Chargers. Drew was a prized signing in the offseason and while he has been injury prone in the past like McFadden, he played in 15 games last season with Jacksonville and now looks to bounce back after his hand surgery.
