McFadden shoulder on the mend; Russell also worked on
Ok – so the season is over and now we are getting a weekly injury report on two of the Oakland Raiders biggest talents?
These are the Raiders, and should we really be surprised that their prized rusher, Darren McFadden, had a minor arthroscopic shoulder surgery in mid-January?
The veil of secrecy, or deceit – whichever term fits appropriately – is just what Raider fans have been accustomed to. And per a report by the San Francisco Chronicle, a team spokesman was unaware of any injury, and was never mentioned in any of the weekly reports that are mandated by the league prior to the game on Sunday.
According to reports, McFadden first injured his shoulder early in 2008. In that same game he hurt his foot, an injury that lingered all season. The rookie did not finish the finale due to a bum ankle, and every time he was listed on medical reports, his toe was the culprit.
McFadden is expected to be at full strength when camps open up, but will he show signs of fragility next season?
Oakland needs McFadden on the field as much as possible in 2009. With the lack of pop in the offense and the diversity he can bring with his multi-purpose abilities, its imperative the new staff finds varying ways to get him the ball and keep defenses on their toes.
The owner already has hinted how he would like to see more of the former Arkansas star in the mix, “McFadden is tough for the defense,” Al Davis said last week. “You put him and (Michael) Bush in the backfield. You got your two wide receivers and you stick McFadden in the slot and you have to cover him as a wide receiver. …McFadden is a dangerous player but we’ve got to find out what he can do. We don’t know that much about him.”
JaMarcus Russell first hurt his ankle midway through the season and re-aggravated it in December. Last week he underwent minor ankle surgery as stated by Davis some time ago.
When Russell did miss time in 2008, the cause was a bruised bone in his knee and not the ankle that has been attended to lately.
Stay tuned, maybe the Raiders will update the inactive list for the off-season.
Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
