While the Raiders lack of draft picks means that Raider news from the NFL scouting combine is few and far between, it does not mean that there is nothing of value to be learned this week.
The second half of the 2011 season was dominated with talk about Darren McFadden's foot injury and when the Raiders top running backwould be able to return to the field, if at all. In an interview at the combine, Oakland Raiders new head coach, Dennis Allen briefly discussed the topic of star Darren McFadden.
Allen confirmed what most had already assumed about McFadden. Not only will McFadden be back with the Raiders in 2012, he is expected to be completely healed and ready to go for the season. However, Allen did give two other nuggets of information that are somewhat interesting.
First, Allen stated that the team received a good evaluation on McFadden, and that the running back was back in Oakland and has begun working out. This is very good news. While most assumed McFadden would be ready for the 2012 season, there were still concerns that he may not be able to participate fully in training camps and possibly the pre season. Hopefully, this report is a confirmation that he is close to full health and will be able to take part in all of the off season programs.
Next, and most interestingly, Allen said that the team would be looking into the turf used at the practice facilities to determine whether or not it may have played a roll in the rash of foot injuries that plagued the Raiders in 2011. While many presumed the large number of injuries was due to the shortened off season, it is good to know that Allen is not taking any chances and wants to at least rule out the possibility that the practice field had something to do with it.