Everyone focused on the quarterbacks two weeks ago when the Raiders got blanked 28-0 by the Chiefs. That tends to happen when six interceptions are thrown.
Carson Palmer’s debut obscured a bigger story in that game. Oakland’s best offensive player, Darren McFadden, left early with a foot injury. And the Raiders offense couldn’t score a single point without him.
There hasn’t been a lot of information about McFadden’s mid-foot sprain in the meantime until Wednesday. McFadden was spotted leaving the Raiders facility in a walking boot with crutches, according to the Oakland Tribune.
McFadden hasn’t practiced this week, and is looking very unlikely to face the Broncos. His status for NFL Network’s Thursday Night opener in seven days against the Chargers appears to be in doubt.
It’s hard to overstate McFadden’s importance to the Raiders. He was averaging 126 yards from scrimmage-per-game before the injury. Their passing game is a work in progress, but the offense was built around McFadden.
The Raiders can survive against Denver without him, but they aren’t going to win the AFC West without a healthy McFadden.