ALAMEDA - If you questioned why the Raider drafted Taiwan Jones back in April, this week should answer that.
Darren McFadden has missed at least three games in each of his first three games so having another running back can't hurt.
And from the looks of things McFadden won't be available when the Raiders host the Denver Broncos Sunday.
McFadden has not practiced since spraining his foot Oct. 23 against Kansas City so Jones is likely to be called on to play a prominent role behind Michael Bush.
The rookie from Eastern Washington is taking that in stride.
"You've just got to remember it's just football," Jones said. "I've been doing this my whole life and I'm doing it every day in practice. It's just this time I might get to show everybody else what I can do."
Jones hasn't shown most of us what he can do in the NFL in the regular season. Three of Jones' five carries this season came against Kansas City. Jones has rushed for 30 yards and caught two passes for 25 yards.
Jones (6-0, 195) is more in the mold of McFadden in terms of speed, but said he doesn't mind running inside.
"That's been something that's always been on my mind because a lot of people say because I'm a speed guy that I like to run outside," Jones said. "But I'm willing to go inside, whenever coach needs me to run inside I'm willing to do it. It's just football."
Jones added that he was a defensive back before he became a running back so he's not bothered by contact.
Now it's time for Jones to show us that.
"You need good runners because when you look around the league there's a lot of guys that are kind of bruised and battered right now," said Raiders coach Hue Jackson. "I just think you have to have those other guys who can make special plays and Taiwan Jones is one of those guys."
Injury report
Full participation in practice: WR Chaz Schilens (groin), FB Marcel Reece (ankle), TE Kevin Boss (concussion), S Matt Giordano (neck).
Limited participation: C Samson Satele (knee), DT John Henderson (back).
Did not participate: RB Darren McFadden (foot), QB Jason Campbell (broken collarbone), K Sebastian Janikowski (hamstring), LB Rolando McClain (ankle), CB Chimdi Chekwa (hamstring), CB Chris Johnson (groin, hamstring), S Michael Huff (ankle).
Jackson said he'd like to see players that haven't practiced this week on the field Friday. He also hasn't ruled out having to sign another kicker, but it sounds as if Jackson expects Janikowski to be able to kick this weekend.
If McClain is out, Darryl Blackstock would start at middle linebacker.
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