Moore Back & other practice notes:
Oakland managed to field at least one of its speed weapons for this practice but the other three have a prognosis not as rosy.
Fellow WR and Kick Return man Jacoby Ford was spotted working out with trainers and rookie RB Taiwan Jones but only for a brief period of time. He headed for the jogging back to join Jones.
WR Chaz Schilens has struggled with foot and knee injuries since College and appeared to be injured again in last weeks blow out loss to the undefeated Packers and he may be. We think the H/W/S specimen may be dinged but after missing so much time in his brief, and fading, career, he may be toughing it out.
RB Darren McFadden was MIA for the 52nd day after suffering a "mid foot sprain" against Kansas City. Weeks after we reported DMC's injury may be worse than let on, he is no closer to a viable return date. Assuming he is even ready to begin practicing (hes not) it will take at least a week to get back in football shape after such a prolonged absence. Despite what Hue Jackson has said, the odds of seeing McFadden out side of deep in the post season are rapidly dwindling.
Oakland is one of the most injury decimated teams in the League and many more have been walking wounded much of the year. Among them, wily veterans Richard Seymour and FS Michael Huff. Seymour recorded zero tackles against Green Bay and a lingering knee injury has clearly slowed him. He was at practice today though where he hasn't been in recent weeks.
Huff has been struggling with a sore ankle the majority of the season and was not present today. He may be healing up and taking a rest.
Center Samson Satele was at practice after being dinged up against the Pack. Satele has struggled as well with injuries and frankly is the one player Hue Jackson should actually sit until hes 100%. We've said it before. Satele's the smallest Center in the game and struggles with bigger NTs (especially 3-4 defenses) even when healthy.
When hes dinged it shows. WIth a sore knee he hasn't been getting second level and in combination with Oaklands lack of edge speed or receiving weapons this has been a major cause of the Raider run game collapse.
We think rookie LG Stephen Wisniewski will be playing the postion he was drafted for next season. If Satele plays expect more Oakland O line struggles (ie another loss) because Detroit DT Ndamuhkong Suh will be fresh from his 2 game suspension and ready to wreak havoc.
It's clear Oakland pretty much needs to win out if they want to make it to the post season for the first time in 8 years. If Hue Jackson is serious about it, he'll do what needs to be done and field the best O line possible.