The way Darren McFadden’s career has gone, the news is when he’s well.
The Raiders running back is healthy at the moment, recovered from the Lisfranc sprain that ended his 2011 season and derailed his team’s playoff chances.
That was the latest in a series of injuries, some just dumb luck, that have defined his career as much as his explosive ability.
“If someone has an answer for it, I would love for them to tell me,” McFadden told reporters after the first day of camp, via Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group.
“I think we all understand that he’s an explosive playmaker for us and we need him to be healthy for an entire season,” Raiders coach Dennis Allen said.
If he does that, he’d set a personal record.
McFadden has missed at least three games each of his four seasons, and last year’s nine-game absence was the longest.
He’s had turf toe, knee and shoulder problems, and missed camp time last year with a broken orbital bone suffered when his helmet was pushed down into his eye during a blocking drill.
Through it all, McFadden has stayed upbeat, but won’t call himself jinxed.
“I can’t say I’m unlucky because in my mind I’m a very blessed person to even be playing in this league,” McFadden said. “I just go out there and take it one day at a time. I can’t control injuries. If I get hurt, I’m going to get hurt going hard . . . I’m not going to go out there and play not to get hurt.”
If he can stay well, the Raiders have a legitimate shot to make good on the playoff hopes so many have.