Raiders insider Scott Bair believes RB Latavius Murray is "poised to make an impact in the regular season."  His rookie year was cut short last August by an ankle injury that eventually required 2 surgeries.  Murray wasn't back to 100% until May but now looks "healthy and strong," per Bair.  Murray will likely open the season as Oakland's #3 RB, leaving him short on reliable fantasy value.  But the 2 guys ahead of him on the depth chart -- Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew -- have missed a total of 21 games over the past 2 seasons.  Consider Murray an intriguing late-round sleeper in deep fantasy drafts.

Raiders insider Paul Gutierrez believes it might be "counter-productive" for the team to deploy a committee backfield with Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew.  Both guys are RBs "who need carries to get warmed up, so to speak, and get better as the game wears on," Gutierrez writes.  It's just another reason to avoid the Raiders backfield in fantasy drafts, on top of the fact that the offensive line looks weak and both RBs are injury risks.

Insider Scott Bair confirms that the Raiders "prefer a rushing committee."  That much was clear when they re-signed Darren McFadden and added Maurice Jones-Drew this offseason.  The duo will battle for the title of "starter" this summer, but both guys will play plenty in 2014.  Our guess for now is that McFadden handles the majority of the early-down work, with MJD dominating passing-game duties.  While both are healthy, neither will be more than a RB3 or flex in fantasy lineups.

ESPN's Paul Gutierrez considers RB Darren McFadden the "lead dog" in the Raiders' backfield.  "If healthy," Gutierrez adds.  That's always been the qualifier for McFadden, who has missed 19 games over the past 3 years and never played a full 16-game season.  On top of that, he's averaged an ugly 3.3 yards per carry each of the past 2 years. McFadden will need to be much better in 2014 to hold off RB Maurice Jones-Drew.  MJD has lost a few steps at 29 years old but remains one of the best passing-down backs in the game.  We're expecting a committee backfield in Oakland, with McFadden handling early downs and Jones-Drew entering in passing situations.

The Raiders re-signed RB Darren McFadden to a 1-year deal worth up to $4 million (with incentives).  The whispers all offseason were that the Raiders wanted to bring back Rashad Jennings and cut ties with McFadden.  Instead, Jennings is off to New York and McFadden returns to Oakland.  The former 1st-rounder figures to get another crack at the lead job.  Always injury prone, McFadden hasn't even been good when he's been on the field the past 2 seasons, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry in each.  The only intriguing thing about his fantasy outlook in 2014 is that he'll likely come cheaply in drafts.

Raiders RB Latavius Murray's 2013 rookie campaign was cut short by a preseason ankle injury.  He was impressing the coaching staff before that, though, and the Raiders are excited to see what he can bring to the backfield this coming season.  “I think Latavius is one of those guys that we’re anxious to see be healthy and get out there and play,” HC Dennis Allen said. “He’s a big back that’s got excellent speed and excellent size. He runs tough."  Murray certainly passes the eye test.  He goes 6'3, 230 pounds with 4.38 speed.  And his final season at Central Florida produced 1,106 rushing yards, 231 receiving yards and 19 total TDs.  The Raiders are fully expected to let free agent Darren McFadden walk, although they're reportedly interested in bringing back Rashad Jennings.  Even then, Murray has the potential to beat out Jennings for the starting job.  He'll be worth keeping a close eye on this summer and needs to be owned in all keeper and dynasty leagues.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (ankle) is active for today’s game against the Chargers.  He’s only expected to see a handful of touches behind RB Rashad Jennings.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (ankle) practiced all week and is probable for Sunday’s game against the Chargers.  He’ll only serve as a change-of-pace to starter Rashad Jennings.  McFadden isn’t a Week 16 fantasy option.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (ankle) returned to practice on Wednesday.  He's been sidelined since sprained his ankle in Week 13.  It looks like he'll be back for Sunday's game against the Chargers, but it'll be in a change-of-pace role behind Rashad Jennings.  McFadden isn't a fantasy option.

Raiders RB Rashad Jennings (concussion) put in a full week of practice and is probable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.  He's fully expected to resume feature-back duties.  That makes him a low-end RB2, despite the difficult matchup.  RB Marcel Reece is unlikely to see more than a handful of touches.  RB Darren McFadden (ankle) has been ruled out.

Raiders RB Rashad Jennings (concussion) is inactive for today’s game against the Jets.  RB Darren McFadden (ankle) is also out.  That leaves Marcel Reece as Oakland’s feature back.  15+ touches will make him a RB3 or flex option, despite the tough matchup.

Raiders RB Rashad Jennings (concussion) is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Jets.  He was listed as a limited participant in practice all week.  It’s unclear if he’s passed that final test in order to play this weekend.  The good news is that we’ll find out his status by noon ET on Sunday.  If he’s active, Jennings will be a good bet for another 18+ touches.  But his upside will be limited against the Jets’ top-ranked RB defense.  Raiders RB Darren McFadden (ankle) didn’t practice all week and has been ruled out. 

It turns out that Raiders RB Darren McFadden missed Wednesday's practice with an ankle injury, rather than the hammy that cost him the 3 games before Thanksgiving.  It's just another in the long list of lower-body problems for the former 1st-rounder.  McFadden looks iffy for Sunday's game against the Jets but shouldn't be anywhere near fantasy lineups anyway.  RB Rashad Jennings remains locked-in as Oakland's feature back.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. "Might have aggravated hamstring vs. Cowboys," insider Steve Corkran surmises.  We'll have another update on McFadden's status tomorrow, but he's not a recommended Week 14 fantasy option regardless.

Raiders RB Rashad Jennings (concussion) was on the practice field on Wednesday.  It doesn't necessarily mean he's been cleared for this weekend's game, but he's at least trending in that direction.  Assuming he plays, Jennings is expected to retain lead-back duties.  He received 18 touches on Thanksgiving, compared to just 5 for Darren McFadden.  A matchup against the Jets' top-ranked RB defense will make Jennings just a RB3 or flex, though.

Raiders RB Rashad Jennings has been diagnosed with a concussion.  He took a knee to the helmet in the 4th quarter of Thursday's game against the Cowboys.  He has 10 days to get cleared ahead of Week 14's game against the Jets.  Jennings continued to operate as Oakland's lead back on Thursday, recording 18 touches to Darren McFadden's 5.

As expected, Raiders RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) is active for today's game against the Cowboys.  OC Greg Olson has said the team will stick with Rashad Jennings as the primary ball-carrier in a strong rushing matchup.  McFadden will get some touches, though, which makes him an upside desperation play for your flex spot if you're in need.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Cowboys.  He practiced all week, though, and all indications are that he'll play.  In his 1st action since Week 9, McFadden is expected to operate as a change-of-pace behind RB Rashad Jennings.  We're not expecting more than 10 touches for McFadden, leaving him as a shaky RB3 or flex.

Raiders OC Greg Olson confirmed Tuesday that the team will stick with "the hot hand" at RB this week, according to Steve Corkoran of the Contra Costa Times.  That means RB Rashad Jennings leading the backfield despite the expected return of RB Darren McFadden.  Jennings has averaged 4.4 yards per carry or more in 4 straight games since stepping in after D-Mac's latest hamstring injury.  He has easily outperformed the 3.6-yard average that McFadden has produced -- when healthy -- this season.  The incumbent reportedly "will get his touches," though, which could cut into Jennings' fantasy value against a terrible Cowboys run D on Thanksgiving Day.  Even the McFadden shaped impediment can't keep Jennings from being a strong fantasy option in your Week 13 lineup, though.  Don't use McFadden unless you're desperate.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (hamstring) is "in line" to play against the Cowboys on Thursday, according to insider Scott Bair.  McFadden has been out since Week 9 and is expected to return to a timeshare with RB Rashad Jennings.  We're actually expecting Jennings to serve as Oakland's lead back at this for this week.  He's averaged a juicy 5.7 yards per carry over his last 4 games.  McFadden's return puts a dent in Jennings' upside, but he's still a RB2 option in Thursday's plus matchup.  McFadden is just a RB3 or flex flier.