Oakland Raiders running back Maurice Jones-Drew was held out of practice for the second straight day Thursday. Jones-Drew is recovering from a hand injury he suffered in the team's Week 1 loss to the New York Jets.
Maurice Jones-Drew misses practice Thursday, not a reliable fantasy option
Maurice Jones-Drew missed another day of practice with a hand injury. We break down the fantasy implications.
Jeff Zelevansky
Jones-Drew had a procedure done on the hand Monday. The Raiders don’t expect him to miss much time, but his Week 2 status is up in the air. Jones-Drew had a dreadful Oakland debut last Sunday, rushing for just 11 yards on nine carries and catching two passes for 12 yards.
Fantasy impact: Darren McFadden would get the start if Jones-Drew can't go. Although neither back did much of anything in Week 1, they were also going up against the Jets' suffocating front four. Oakland's ground game might have better sledding against the Texans, who gave up 91 yards to Alfred Morris and lost Jadeveon Clowney to a torn meniscus.
Still, neither player is an inspiring fantasy option -- Jones-Drew looks near the end of the line and McFadden can’t be trusted to stay healthy. Whoever gets the start will be a low-upside flex play. Rookie Latavius Murray is someone to watch in deeper leagues.
