Oakland Raiders RB Darren McFadden's Chances for an Injury-Free 2012

[MileHighRaider]

Interesting take on the health prospects of our lead runner...

Oakland Raiders RB Darren McFadden's Chances for an Injury-Free 2012 | National Football Authority

McFadden's progress in 2012 is not likely to be hampered in any way by the 2011 sprain. If he can manage to protect himself from other major injuries, he just might be able to play all 16 games of the regular season for the first time in his career as he heads into his fifth season.

Let's hope...

[lukede112]

I think this is the year he finally stays healthy and goes for 1600 plus on the ground and 500 plus receiving the ball. Knapp is going to feed the beast that much we know.

[cheapshotartist]

Slim and none.

[D-Tre]

I think this is the year he finally stays healthy and goes for 1600 plus on the ground and 500 plus receiving the ball. Knapp is going to feed the beast that much we know.

1600? Hello 99 Madden rating!

[Dj Diesel]

i would say less than 10% chance based on his running style. Never runs out of bounds and powers through blocks

[kinz]

People and injuries are different, but this was a major injury for a RB. I think we will know about McFadden's recovery from this injury about 6 weeks into the season. I am pulling for him 100% because I love his effort and talent. But this is one where time will tell as people like to say.

I had a very minor version of this thing about 25 years ago. For long stretches it won't bother me. Last week I had trouble walking across the room.

Reading what McFadden says, you can see he understands the seriousness of things. It sounds like progress has been very good, so cause for cautious optimism. Still think we are foolish not to get a capable backup, if only to lessen the load on him.

[B. anthracis]

Not gonna happen. It is extremely rare for a team that relies primarily on one back for their rushing attack to go through an entire season without missing some games (assuming that's what we're going to do). The only way to minimize the possibility of McFadden missing long stretches is to rotate guys in and out, with him getting a plurality of touches but not the majority. IOW, if it could be broken down into a percentage, McFadden gets around 40% while the rest combine for the other 60%. Something like that.

[MadBomber24]

Here is my take on what to do with DMC. I think this is the make or break year for DMC. As good as he is he can't help us if he can't stay healthy. I say we ride him as long as we can this year and see what happens. He clearly makes us a contender when healthy. If he can stay healthy and handle a big workload then get him a big pay day and keep him. If he gets hurt again and misses an extended amount of time then next offseason you find a replacement and either trade him for what you can get or cut him and start the process of getting his salary off the books.

I hate the idea of possibly cutting or trading DMC but there are a couple of things that make me think that would be the right thing to do if he gets hurt again this year.
1. He is a RB and they have the shortest career life of any position so he will likely start to decline quickly in the next 3-4 years, esspecially if he keeps getting injured.

2. No matter how great a player is he can only help us if he stays on the field. So if he gets hurt or if we have to reduce his touches then he isn't giving this team what we need. If he is a guy who we need to limit touches with then he needs to take a pay raise because we can't afford to pay a part time player what DMC makes.

[Yogi]

The odds are against it but I have a good feeling McFadden will stay healthy for an entire season this year. He's gonna light it up and show the NFL what he can really do when healthy for 16 games.........................................

[LINQ]

I strongly feel we need to not overuse McFadden. Get him plenty of rest, use our other weapons, use the passing game, etc.

I'm worried it will be the McFadden show and we'll break our favorite toy, so to speak.

[MadBomber24]

I strongly feel we need to not overuse McFadden. Get him plenty of rest, use our other weapons, use the passing game, etc.

I'm worried it will be the McFadden show and we'll break our favorite toy, so to speak.

Yea that's my problem. How good is the toy if you can't play with it?

[coogi]

i think our best bet is to call Dr. Lanning and ask him to give DMC the same procedure he gave Detective Spooner...except he needs to do it on DMCs legs...

[heavyD]

Not being a Debbie Downer but the chances of McFadden playing all 16 regular season games is 0.0%. Even the best most durable backs in the league usually miss a game or two and McFadden is about 50 notches below them on the durability scale. I would be ecstatic if he could play 14 games but honestly expect anywhere from 6 - 12 games given his history.

[MadBomber24]

Not being a Debbie Downer but the chances of McFadden playing all 16 regular season games is 0.0%. Even the best most durable backs in the league usually miss a game or two and McFadden is about 50 notches below them on the durability scale. I would be ecstatic if he could play 14 games but honestly expect anywhere from 6 - 12 games given his history.

Yea if he does like 2010 then its easier to justify keeping him at the same salary and making him the focal point of the offense. But at 6-12 games we need to find someone else to be our main RB and only keep DMC at a part time players salary.

[raider95nation]

The article didn't really say anything I didn't know. The thing that interested me the most was the picture on the article. Am I seeing things or was McFadden sporting a dark nike visor?