Through two games, Raiders RB Darren McFadden is stuck ...

Sep 20, 2012

Through two games, Raiders RB Darren McFadden is stuck in the mud. He's totaled 56 yards on 24 carries, with no gain longer than eight yards, and the Raiders rank 31st in the league in rushing (out of 32 teams).

Judging from fan reaction on blogs, message boards and Twitter, the primary culprit is the same blocking philosophy that Hue Jackson de-emphasized in 2010 when he took over the offense and jump-started McFadden's NFL career.

Meanwhile, coach Dennis Allen remains undeterred. Gap and power blocking systems are out. Zone blocking -- which some critics term more finesse-oriented -- is in for the long haul. Things won't get easier Sunday when the Raiders host the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that last surrendered more than 100 yards per game rushing in 2003.

"I've got all the confidence in the world in our running game," Allen said Wednesday. "I've seen it work. It's been successful in this league, and we've got the right personnel to get it done."

Fantasy Impact:

This was a concern heading into the season. The Raiders were throwing out what worked for McFadden under Hue Jackson and going to the zone blocking scheme which hadn't worked very well for DMC in the past.

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Bears RB D'Andre Swift, WR Keenan Allen both Questionable for Week 12

Scott Bair

33 minutes ago

D'Andre Swift is questionable to play Vikings with a groin injury, though he was limited Thursday and a full participant on Friday.

Keenan Allen is questionable with an ankle injury. He was limited on Friday, his first day on the participation report.

Related Players: Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer, D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze

Fantasy Impact:

Separate reports called Swift "very likely" to play, but this is seemingly a new issue for Allen.

If Keenan were to miss Week 12, it would boost the floor of all pass-catchers, namely Moore, Oduzne, and Cole Kmet. Moore + Odunze would sneak closer to WR2 territory than their low-end WR3 designations they have with a healthy Allen.

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco officially Out for Week 12

Matt McMullen

42 minutes ago

Charles Omenihu (knee) and Isiah Pacheco (ankle) won’t play on Sunday, per Coach Reid.

“Just taking it day-by-day,” Reid added.

Related Players: Samaje Perine

Fantasy Impact:

It was later reported that Pacheco was "healthy enough" but they're hoping to hold him back one more game with a short week coming up. This makes Hunt a volume-based RB2 in Week 12.

Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb returns to Friday practice

Joseph Hoyt

1 hour ago

CeeDee Lamb practiced today, per Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. That’s a good sign.

Lamb (back/foot) was limited in a walkthrough on Wednesday and missed practice on Thursday.

Related Players: Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy

Fantasy Impact:

Obviously good news for the Cowboys' potential in rolling out an NFL offense in Week 12. The floor is capped for Lamb but we should expect a ton of action funneling his way against the Commanders, which puts him on the WR1/2 fringe.