Read More: Richard Seymour (DT – OAK), Sebastian Janikowski (K – OAK), Darren McFadden (RB – OAK), Jacoby Ford (WR – OAK), Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings

The Oakland Raiders are gearing up for a game against the Minnesota Vikings this season. Even though the Vikings don’t have an impressive record, they have one of the best running backs in the league — something the Raiders might be without, according to Wednesday’s injury report.

Starting running back Darren McFadden was one of seven Raiders players that missed all of Wednesday’s practice for Oakland as he attempts to recover from a foot injury. Other notable names out included Richard Seymour, Jacoby Ford and kicker Sebastian Janikowski, but McFadden is obviously a key to the team’s offense.

As SB Nation’s Sean Keeley notes, it’s difficult to project whether McFadden will return this week, despite making “huge progress”.

Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden was not wearing a protective boot at practice on Wednesday, something that head coach Hue Jackson called “huge progress” in the hopes that McFadden would return for this week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. 

McFadden continues to make progress from the mid-foot sprain that has kept him out of the Raiders’ last two games but has yet to resume practice or workouts.

The complete injury report can be found here.

Read More: Darren McFadden (RB – OAK), Jacoby Ford (WR – OAK), Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings

With a semi-firm grip on first place in the AFC West, the Oakland Raiders are going to need all hands on deck to maintain their status atop the heap. Unfortunately for them, Darren McFadden and Jacoby Ford missed practice once again on Wednesday, increasing the probability that neither will be suiting up for the Silver and Black this weekend. 

According to Raiders insider Steve Corkran on Twitter, both speedy Raiders did not participate in Wednesday practice. Run DMC’s status is the most troubling here as he hasn’t practiced since way back on Oct. 23, and if he doesn’t start practicing by Thursday, there basically isn’t a chance that he’ll be playing this Sunday, marking the third straight game that he has missed completely. 

As for Ford, he still believes his injury isn’t as bad as McFadden’s, and will have to wait until Thursday as well as to see if he can play this weekend or not. 

For more on the Raiders, head over to Silver and Black Pride. 

NAPA, CA - As Thursday’s first exhibition game looms, the Oakland Raiders are not just excited to hit some opposition that doesn’t happen to be a teammate, but also showcase the impact their rookie head coach has already had on the team.

Jackson has been with his Raiders team for just 14 days following the NFL lockout, which prevented him from having any offseason contact with his players. After day 12 of training camp, some players are already seeing evidence Jackson’s influence over the team.

PHOTOS: Wednesday’s Oakland Raiders training camp in Napa

Quarterback Jason Campbell said that Jackson’s influence was felt early last season as the team’s offensive coordinator, where the Raiders were making plays and scoring more points than the prior season.

“The reason is his mentality,” Campbell said. “He brings that physical, relentless mentality - playing like a Raider and that’s what he’s all about.” 

Jackson has great confidence in Campbell leading the Raiders at quarterback and said he has the expectation of Campbell to be a great, not just a good quarterback, and that will begin with his leadership. 

“I want to see him take command of this offense, lead this team and move them down the field,” Jackson said of Campbell. “I want to see his poise under pressure and then I want to see if our guys will respond to him, which I’m sure they will. I’m expecting Jason to be great and I think he will be.”

This season will be full of first-time experiences for Jackson, but he admits the emotions that would usually come along with coaching a first NFL game aren’t there yet.

“I’ve had so many texts and calls from people asking, but nothing’s different,” Jackson said following Wednesday’s practice at the Napa Marriott. “I have felt like I’ve been prepared to do this for a while - obviously I’ve never done it and here comes the first time.

“I’m sure as things get closer (to the regular season), maybe there will be some different type of emotions, but there’s none right now.” 

At the close of Wednesday’s practice, Jackson still hadn’t determined how many minutes he would play his starting squads on Thursday.

Also uncertain was would not play in Thursday’s preseason opener except for the obvious including Darren McFadden (eye), Jacoby Ford (hand), and Louis Murphy who has sat out of camp since the beginning with an undisclosed injury.

Raiders rookie players exited Wednesday’s practice looking a little different, as some veteran players became amateur barbers by giving them “haircuts”. Many verged on obscene to just plain frightening.

Among the rookies who exited the workout area after practice, sporting their new hair styles as a badge of honor were Mason Brodine and Joe Barksdale, who both submit willingly to the hazing.

Thursday’s exhibition opener against the Arizona Cardinals at Oakland’s O.co Coliseum kicks-off at 7:00 p.m.

By Sean Cunningham, SCunningham@News10.net
Twitter: @News10Sean

News10/KXTV

The Raiders report to Napa on Wednesday for 2011 training camp. We’ll be here with news updates, injuries and roster cuts. We’ll have individual game streams for each preseason game, but otherwise training camp will be covered right here. For more in-depth coverage of the Raiders, swing by Silver and Black Pride.

The Raiders on Wednesday called “untrue” reports about managing general partner Al Davis’ health being in decline.

“Al Davis is fine,” Raiders senior executive John Herrera said. “He’s here (in Alameda) preparing for the draft (April 28-30). He’s working as he always has. Any rumors circulating about his health are untrue.”

Davis, 81, last spoke publicly Jan. 18, when the Raiders announced the promotion of Hue Jackson from offensive coordinator to head coach. Rumors circulated about Davis being hospitalized last weekend, though none was substantiated.

Two other Raiders front-office workers said Davis has been seen at the team’s year-round facility in Alameda and is functioning in the same capacity he has for decades.