Maurice Jones-Drew back in practice for Oakland Raiders, could play week 3

The Maurice Jones-Drew era is off to a slow start in Oakland. If the Raiders and their veteran running back have their way, however, it could get on track in week 3 against the New England Patriots.

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Dealing with an injury to his right hand that required a procedure, Jones-Drew returned to the practice field on Thursday and hopes to be on active Sunday after missing his team’s week 2 game against the Houston Texans.

Scott Bair of CSN Bay Area reports the following:

"Raiders running back Maurice Jones-Drew practiced Thursday for the first time since having surgery on his right hand on Sept. 8.He went through most individual drills during the portion of practice open to the press. He wore extra protection above the surgery site, which was just below his right ring finger."

Bair also notes that the man known as MJD was not expected to miss much time to begin with. That makes it sound like there is a good chance the veteran running back could be back out there for week 3.

After an odd and eventful last couple seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones-Drew entered this season with a lot to prove. He averaged a pedestrian 3.4 yards-per-carry last season before signing with the Raiders this past off-season. As for the Raiders, they have a lot of incentive to get MJD back in the lineup and carrying a significant workload to take the pressure off rookie quarterback Derek Carr.

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