After rushing for a career-high 150 yards against the Houston Texans in Week 11, Rashad Jennings is putting a lot of pressure on veteran Darren McFadden in terms of competing for the starting job in the Oakland Raiders backfield. Even before taking on the Texans, Jennings had already turned some heads in Oakland with some solid performances while filling in for McFadden.
Heading into Week 12, Jennings will remain the starting running back with McFadden likely out for another game due to a nagging hamstring injury. With Jennings playing consistently well on a weekly basis and McFadden doing absolutely nothing to convince the Raiders to sign him long-term, the 28-year-old is making a strong case to be
the starter from here on out.
Head coach Dennis Allen talked about Jennings’ performance thus far and the prospect of him starting over McFadden in the weeks to come via Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com:
“I’ll say this and I’ll say it again, he’s earned the right to carry the ball,” Allen said. “Whether he starts or doesn’t start, I don’t think that’s really much of a factor. He’s going to get his touches.”
Before the 2013 NFL season got underway, McFadden made a promise to Raiders fans and the organization that he’d prove his worth to the team. The veteran running back has only played in seven games so far this season and has put up fairly mediocre numbers with 437 and five total touchdowns.
As for Jennings, the backup has played in 10 games this season, starting three of the 10, racking up 668 yards from scrimmage and two total touchdowns.
Along with Jennings putting a lot of pressure on McFadden, rookie quarterback Matt McGloin has been named the starter for Week 12 against the Tennessee Titans. McGloin is coming off an incredible performance against the Houston Texans and has earned the role as the starter over Terrelle Pryor. Jennings and McGloin may be the duo the team will try to build around moving forward.
