Raiders still without McFadden or Goodson in Cincinnati
By Ryan Leong
It looks like the Raiders pass heavy offense once again be relied upon with the lingering injuries to the starting running backs.
Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson are once again ruled out. Both suffering from high ankle sprains and were injured in the game vs. Tampa Bay on November 4.
That means once again the all purpose back Marcel Reece will be the number one option. Taiwan Jones and rookie Jeremy Stewart will be the other options. However, Jones is listed as questionable with an ankle injury and was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday.
Despite the added workload to Reece, he relishes being in that situation.
"Honestly I would play any position that's needed out there," Reece said. "This is a physical game and a lot of guys go down and whatever happens, happens. I'll play anything. I enjoy playing football, period. I enjoy being out there on the field and trying to help my team win. That's what I enjoy about the game, it's not just playing one position or one thing, it's playing football, being out there with my teammates.
"No pressure, pressure becomes a lot of responsibility and I welcome all responsibility. I consider myself a leader on this team, a leader for this offense and whatever needs to be done, I'll do it."
Darrius Heyward-Bey is downplaying the reunion with Hue Jackson but his former head coach is the very reason for his success in 2011.
"It's always good to see a former coach," Heyward-Bey said. "He saw the work I put in and he believed in me and he was the type of coach that would call plays because he wanted to see if you were going to make a play and he did that the years he was here. He's gutsy, he has confidence in his guy over whoever is defending him."
Heyward-Bey is still getting healthy from his hamstring injury but says he's feeling good enough to make plays. He was limited on Wednesday and Thursday but a full participant in Friday's practice.
The good news is that Goodson is no longer in the walking boot and says he is making progress but has not given a timetable for his return.
Defensive tackle Richard Seymour is also ruled out once again with his lingering knee and hamstring injuries. He did not practice at all during the week. Desmond Bryant will start in place of Seymour.
Tyvon Branch is back after missing last week's game vs. New Orleans with a neck injury. That absence ended a streak of 57-straight games played.
Defensive end Jack Crawford did not practice on Thursday or Friday and listed as questionable with a toe injury.
Only two of the Bengals players are listed as doubtful. Wide receiver Andrew Hawkins missed his third consecutive practice Friday because of a knee injury. Hawkins suffered the injury in practice on Nov. 16 and was inactive against the Chiefs this past Sunday. Tight end Richard Quinn , who has yet to be active this season has a hamstring injury. The rest of the players are listed as probable.
Cincinnati Bengals
Probable
CB, Adam Jones (calf), C Jeff Faine (hamstring), WR Marvin Jones (knee), S Reggie Nelson (hamstring), CB Terence Newman (head)
Doubtful
WR Andrew Hawkins (knee), TE Richard Quinn (hamstring)
Oakland Raiders
Probable
TE Brandon Myers (shoulder/concussion), FB Marcel Reece (hamstring), S Tyvon Branch, (neck), WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (hamstring)
Questionable
DE Jack Crawford (toe), RB Taiwan Jones (ankle)
Out
RB Mike Goodson (ankle), RB Darren McFadden (ankle), DT Richard Seymour (knee/hamstring)
For reference:
- Probable: a 75% chance the injured player will be medically cleared for the game
- Questionable: a 50% chance the injured player will be medically cleared for the game
- Doubtful: a 25% chance the injured player will be medically cleared for the game
- Out: there is no chance the injured player will be medically cleared for the game
For more Local Football Bloggers and the latest Raiders news, see CBS Sports San Francisco.
Ryan Leong has reported on over 2,800 games in the Bay Area since 1998, covering the Sharks, Giants, A's, Warriors, 49ers, Raiders and the local college teams for radio networks and wire services. Having the best seat in the house to watch sports has been a thrill and Ryan still enjoys going to the games giving fans some insight and perspective on the players and coaches. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
