Darren McFadden doesn’t look like he’s struggling with turf toe anymore.
The Raiders running back put on an impressive display in Oakland’s preseason opener, the most noteworthy story to come out of their 31-10 win over Dallas Friday night. (Most of the scoring came when backups were in.)
McFadden totaled 72 yards on only five offensive touches, including a 47-yard run to end the first quarter. While it’s dangerous to get seduced by preseason results, McFadden’s speed through the hole on his big run was something we didn’t see much of during his rookie year.
As Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune points out, performances like this should help the Raiders decide to grow McFadden’s role in relation to “starter” Justin Fargas. (Michael Bush deserves more work for that matter as well.)
McFadden may not be a 300-carry workhorse, but he should be the most explosive element on an Oakland offense sorely needing big plays.
All he has to do has to keep those toes healthy.