2008 Oakland Raiders: Injuries Really Hurt

The 2008 Oakland Raiders finished the season 5-11—another terrible season in the books.  Although a lot of things factored into the outcome, injuries played a big part in the disappointing season.  

We were hit early.  At 6'4", 205 pounds, wide receiver Drew Carter was a free agent signing who was supposed to provide JaMarcus Russell a big, speedy target to throw to.   Carter was lost for the season during the preseason.  Johnnie Lee Higgins ended up being the most productive wide receiver with 22 receptions for 366 yards.  We could have used Carter's services.

Fullback Oren O'Neal also went on IR in the preseason.  If you aren't a Raiders fan, that might be the first time you have ever heard that name.  However, losing him was a big reason why the running game wasn't as dominant as last season.  At 6'0", 250 pounds, he is a lead blocking fullback. 

Veteran fullback Justin Griffith did a decent job, but he wasn't a true lead blocker. He went down for the year after seven games.  We ended up with Luke Lawton as our starting fullback. 

The running back position seemed loaded with 1,000-yard rusher Justin Fargas and first round pick Darren McFadden.  Both would suffer injuries in week two.  Fargas partially tore his groin, missed the next two games, and wasn't the same until week 12. 

Darren McFadden had 22 carries for 166 yards in that game, but suffered turf toe during his breakout performance.  He ended up carrying the ball just 83 more times all season, including three games in which he didn't even touch the ball, and two other games were he carried just once.

Derrick Burgess hurt a tricep muscle in week three.  He didn't play or suit up for the next seven games.  He ended up with just 3.5 sacks on the year.  This production came from a guy who had 35 sacks during his previous three seasons. 

Those were just six players on a 53-man roster, but they were key guys. They were counted on and expected to produce for the Raiders in 2008.