Raiders’ RBs banged up
The Raiders could be down to their third-string running back for Sunday’s game at Buffalo as Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden both are dealing with injuries.
Fargas almost certainly will sit this week after suffering a groin injury in last week’s win vs. the Chiefs; Fargas was hurt on a non-contact play.
“He’s very valuable to us, especially in protections, so hopefully we’ll have him back,” Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. “But it doesn’t look very good.”
Fargas didn’t practice Wednesday, and the team might be overly cautious with him and have him also sit out next week with the bye week following that. Fargas, coming off his first 1,000-yard season, said he did not want to rush back and risk further injury.
“I’m going to be smart with it. If I can go, I’m going to go, but we have guys back there that can get the job done and it’s not like I feel the team can’t do it without me or anything like that,” Fargas said. “I don’t feel pressure or anything like that. But our running backs can get the job done. That gives me more of a comfort level to know that I can rehab the best I can and get 100 percent healthy then come back and try to help the team.”
McFadden blew up against the Chiefs (21 rushes, 164 yards) but suffered a turf toe injury. He didn’t practice Wednesday and wore a protective boot on his right foot. The team is hoping he can practice Thursday, but he no doubt will be limited even if he does play this week.
Thus Michael Bush could be the starter at unbeaten Buffalo. Bush rushed for 90 yards on 16 carries against K.C., including a game-clinching 32-yard TD run in the fourth quarter as McFadden and Fargas were on the bench. Overall the Raiders rushed for 300 yards, their most since 1987.
“I think with any team in this league all the backups are just one play (away from) playing for a long time during the season,” Bush said. “You just have to make sure you stay prepared and know what you’re doing when it’s your time.”
The Bills’ run defense held each of their first two opponents to less than 100 yards rushing.
Buffalo is currently a 9.5-point favorite on for Sunday’s game.
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