Darren McFadden Injury: Updates on Raiders RB's Week 13 Status and Fantasy Value

The Oakland Raiders have no need to hurry Darren McFadden back from his mid-foot sprain.

With Michael Bush going off and Carson Palmer rounding into shape with every passing day, it’s more important to get McFadden 100 percent healthy than force him on the field.

The decision is made much easier when the AFC West division is falling apart all around them.

Update: Sunday, Dec. 4 at 12:20 p.m. EDT by Alex Kay

McFadden has been officially ruled out by the Raiders as reported by their Twitter account. 

This was completely expected and Michael Bush is going to fill in once again as the starting RB for Oakland. 

Bush has been playing superb as a starter and the team will not hurry McFadden back with the production being so high on the ground without him. 

UPDATE: Friday, Dec. 2 at 4:35 p.m. EDT by Mike Chiari

Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden will miss yet another game with his foot injury, according to RotoWorld.com. This will be McFadden's fifth consecutive game missed, but the offense hasn't missed a beat due to the play of workhorse Michael Bush.

Bush will be an excellent fantasy play yet again this week against the Miami Dolphins. McFadden owners may have to worry about Bush stealing carries once Run DMC does return, though, because Bush has played that well in his absence.

UPDATE: Thursday, Dec. 1, 2:10 p.m. ET by Wes O'Donnell

McFadden's status continues to be a problem for fantasy owners. The Raiders have a one game lead over the Denver Broncos but continue to win without their star player. Thus, there isn't a great need to rush him back if he's not ready.

According to Raiders beat writer Steve Corkran, McFadden wasn't practicing today:

Keep monitoring his status, but don't expect him to be back in the lineup this week. If you do need a splash play in PPR leagues, fullback Marcel Reece continues to be an option out of the backfield.

The Raiders take on the Dolphins' top 10 ranked rushing defense this week so Carson Palmer may be throwing a bit more this week.

UPDATE: Monday, Nov. 28, 2:59 p.m. ET by Donald Wood

The fantasy owners of Darren McFadden are facing a true test of patience with the star running back. Oakland has no need to rush him back, leaving fantasy players stranded

Raiders Insider for 95.7 The Game The Bay John Dickinson is reporting on twitter that McFadden is at least start to participate in activities:

While this may mean he misses this week, he will be coming back sooner rather than later. Hold onto McFadden for a possible return for the playoff stretch.

What They're Saying

Raiders' beat writer for Oakland Tribune/Bay Area News Group Jerry McDonald is reporting on twitter:

Raiders’ blogger for Contra Costa Times/Bay Area News Group Steve Corkran is reporting on twitter:

Fantasy Impact

The Oakland Raiders are putting the Run-DMC car in the shop until he is ready to go at 100 percent health. Their main concern is the playoffs, which means your fantasy team will not have McFadden back in the foreseeable future. I would hold onto him in case he comes back in two or three weeks during the fantasy playoffs, but temper expectations.

Who's the Backup?

This is exactly why you are told to handcuff your No. 1 running back and even your No. 2 if he is a big enough name. While not having Darren McFadden has been terrible, having Michael Bush makes you forget all the pain Run DMC caused.

NFL Network reporter Michael Fabiano said on twitter:

Devastation Scale (2 out of 10)

This news is not new. Fantasy owners who have Darren McFadden have been scrambling for weeks trying to figure out how to replace the kind of production Run-DMC offered. McFadden owners should have Michael Bush so there is an easy transition, but if you didn’t handcuff him, shame on you.

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