This much is clear: the Raiders' coaching staff loves RB Darren McFadden.  They raved about him in early August, and the adulation hasn't let up.  OC Al Saunders recently compared McFadden to Hall-of-Famer Marshall Faulk.  "A lot of times we had Marshall Faulk in St. Louis and our best runs are when we didn't block anybody and he made five guys miss and ran 60 yards down the field," Saunders said. "McFadden has that ability to do that. We're excited to watch him grow and develop for sure."  Added HC Hue Jackson: "You haven't seen the best of him yet. I see a young man who is ahead of the curve of where he was last year, seeing his reads, sticking the ball in the right spots, accelerating, knowing when to decelerate."  It's clear that McFadden will be the focal point of Oakland's offense this year.  We're not ready to call him a safe pick yet -- he's missed at least 3 games in each of his first 3 NFL seasons -- but there's definitely major upside here.  McFadden owners should grab RB Michael Bush as a handcuff.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden returned to a full practice on Monday.  He ended up missing 2-and-a-half weeks with that broken orbital bone.  The injury was never a major concern.  McFadden should be able to get in some preseason snaps and will be a full-go for Week 1.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden was able to participate in non-contract drills in practice Monday.  He remains on track to be ready in plenty of time for Week 1.  The broken orbital bone doesn't impact his 2011 fantasy outlook.  McFadden is a RB1 with plenty of upside.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden is expected to miss the next 2 weeks after suffering a broken orbital bone.  He continues to be bitten by the injury bug, but this one isn't a long-term concern.  McFadden was reportedly ripping it up in training camp before going down, and he should be back in time to get in some preseason reps.  The news doesn't impact McFadden's fantasy stock.

We're now in the heart of puff piece season.  Here's one on Raiders RB Darren McFadden.  According to beat writer Steve Corkran, Run DMC "is making players miss on a routine basis, making sharp cuts into the open field and blowing past would-be tacklers with ease" early on in training camp.  Corkran expects McFadden to finish 2011 with more total yards than the 1,664 he racked up last year.  We currently have him projected for 1,509 yards, but he could certainly top that if he manages to play in all 16 games.

Raiders rookie RB Taiwan Jones is willing to do whatever it takes to contribute in 2011. “I'm a real versatile player,” Jones said. “I can return kicks, catch passes, block. I'll do whatever it takes to help the team.” Jones is one of our favorite sleepers in the 2011 draft class. But playing behind Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, we’re not expecting him to make a fantasy impact this year.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (ankle, toe) is inactive for today's season finale against the Chiefs.  RB Michael Bush will start in his place and should be good for 20 touches.  He's a solid RB2 play.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (ankle, toe) was unable to practice all week but has been deemed a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.  If he's active, his snaps figure to be limited.  RB Michael Bush is a stronger fantasy play this week.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (ankle, toe) did not practice on Thursday, but he was able to run off to the side.  "It might be a game time decision," HC Tom Cable said of McFadden. "He's feeling much better, so we're not trying to chance it right now and see what he can do tomorrow."  For what it's worth, McFadden fully expects to play against the Chiefs Sunday.  Check back Friday for another update.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden reportedly suffered a foot injury in the 3rd quarter of Sunday's game against the Colts.  McFadden said he rolled his ankle, while HC Tom Cable called it turf toe.  Either way, Run DMC was limited for the rest of the game.  His status for the season finale is uncertain.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) is active for today's game against the Broncos.  RB Michael Bush is expected to start, but McFadden should see 10+ touches.  He's a high-risk, high-reward RB2 play.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) was limited in practice all week, but puts his chances of playing against the Broncos on Sunday at 70%.  HC Tom Cable confirmed that McFadden is "likely to play."  His workload may depend on how he feels in pregame warmups.  Consider McFadden a high-risk, high-reward RB2 play.  RB Michael Bush will likely start and is also a borderline RB2 play.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) practiced again on Thursday.  He remains on track to play this Sunday against the Broncos, although it's still unclear what his role in the offense will be.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) put in a limited practice on Wednesday.  "There was a couple times when he did cut it loose and it was good," HC Tom Cable said of McFadden's participation. "He felt good afterward. If we get out here tomorrow and no setback or anything like that, hopefully we’re through it."  It sounds like McFadden is going to play this week, although his workload may be limited.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) is inactive for today's game against the 49ers.  RB Michael Bush will start and should see 20+ touches.  He's a virtual must-start.

Although he practiced all week, Raiders RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) is officially a game-time decision for Sunday's matchup with the Niners.  We're guessing that he'll be active, but he may only see a handful of touches.  Keep Run DMC on your bench this week.  RB Michael Bush remains a rock-solid start.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) says he's "50-50" to play against the 49ers this Sunday.  Although he returned to practice on Wednesday, McFadden admits that he's yet to "fully push" his bum hamstring.  Even if he does suit up on Sunday, he'll play a minimal role in the offense.  He's not a fantasy option this week.

Raiders HC Tom Cable said that if RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) is active this Sunday, it'll be as RB Michael Bush's backup since McFadden is not at 100%.  That last part is key.  It's still unclear who the starter will be once McFadden is fully healthy again.  Bush's performance against the Niners on Sunday will be a factor in that decision.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) returned to practice on Wednesday.  Beat writer Vittorio Tafur called it a "light session," so this doesn't mean McFadden is back to 100%.  Still, it looks like he has a decent shot to play this Sunday against the 49ers.  We'll update his status again on Thursday.

Raiders beat writer Vittorio Tafur does not expect RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) to be ready for Week 6.  HC Tom Cable was noncommittal in his Monday press conference, but considering the fact that McFadden is a notorious slow healer, we'd bet against him playing this Sunday too.  RB Michael Bush is in line for another busy day.