Darren McFadden Injury: Latest News and Fantasy Outlook for Raiders Starting RB

Darren McFadden of the Oakland Raiders is one of the most gifted running backs in the NFL, but his latest hamstring injury proves once again that he cannot be trusted as a consistent starter in fantasy football.

McFadden's talent is undeniable. He's big, explosive and has great balance. He demonstrated his prodigious talent in 2010, when he racked up 1,664 total yards and 10 touchdowns in just 13 games. 

Unfortunately for McFadden, his career is plagued by phrases like "just 13 games."

McFadden has missed at least three games every season he has been in the league, and after leaving Sunday's game with a hamstring injury, it appears to be deja vu all over again for the former Arkansas Razorback. 

McFadden carried the ball five times for 29 yards in Week 4, but he appeared to strain his hamstring in the first half. Although his return was initially ruled as "questionable," he emerged from the locker room at halftime in street clothes.

The extent of his injury is unknown, but McFadden's fantasy owners should start to look elsewhere for production. The veteran back is simply too unreliable, and he will continue to hurt fantasy owners looking for consistency in the backfield.

It's still too early to cut your losses with McFadden, because his ceiling is higher than almost every other back in the league, and he likely won't net much of a return on the trade market at this point. 

However, McFadden's injury issues should earn him a spot on your bench for at least the next few weeks.