Raiders suggest Rashad Jennings will remain starting running back
By Bryan Rose
There’s no doubt that when Darren McFadden is healthy, the Oakland Raiders running back is one of the more talented in the league. Only problem? He’s almost never fully healthy. Even when he’s on the field he’s nursing some type of health problem, often times becoming so significant that he’s forced to miss time.
That’s exactly what has happened the past few weeks as McFadden has watched backup Rashad Jennings run through defenses with ease – such ease in fact, the Raiders have all but suggested Jennings will remain the starter when McFadden returns on Thursday.
"Raiders coach Dennis Allen said if McFadden is “fully healthy,” both backs would play, but it doesn’t sound as if Jennings is taking a back seat to anyone.“You can’t deny Rashad Jennings over the last month of the season has led the NFL in yards from scrimmage,” Allen said. “I think he’s earned the right and deserves the right to continue to get his carries and touches and we’ll still do that.”"
With a more down-hill running style as opposed to McFadden’s side-to-side, Oakland has found much more success on the ground and it doesn’t sound like they want to change that.
McFadden will see the field on Thanksgiving when Oakland takes on Dallas, though, his playing time is expected to be minimal.