Raiders RB Darren McFadden runs for first time since ankle injury

Although RB Darren McFadden ran for the first time Thursday since injuring his ankle, it's unlikely he'll play in the Raiders' game against the Saints on Sunday. (US Presswire)

Raiders RB Darren McFadden ran for the first time Thursday since suffering a high-ankle sprain Nov. 4 against Tampa Bay.

McFadden did miss practice again, as did backup RB Mike Goodson (high-ankle sprain) and starting DT Richard Seymour (hamstring). The trio was injured two weeks ago against Tampa Bay and will likely be out for the second straight game Sunday against New Orleans.

“McFadden was out today and ran around on the side with the trainers, which was, obviously, a good sign," Raiders coach Dennis Allen said after practice. "I don't know whether or not either any of those guys will be able to play this weekend or not. But that's a good sign that he was out here able to move around. These guys are working extremely hard to get back out here.”

Allen said Goodson has yet to run since being injured and that Seymour has been limited to rehab work in the training room.

FB Marcel Reece started for McFadden at halfback last week against Baltimore, and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said Reece will fill in again Sunday.

"He's done a tremendous job," Knapp said. "Outside of just coming in and playing halfback last week -- and he'll do it again this week -- his ability to pass protect, to run routes, it's a great chess piece for a coordinator to have. So we've been able to put him in one-on-one matchups with linebackers and safeties, along with being able to put him in the backfield and protect and feel comfortable in doing so."

No. 3 RB Taiwan Jones had only two carries against Baltimore, and he'll likely have a limited role again this week.

"We told him going into the game that the two things that we have to see improvement on is ball security as well as assignments," Knapp said. "Assignments not so much in the run game but in the pass protection and in the route running. That's still a part of his game that he's still improving on. We got to keep in mind, he's still a young player.

"I've got to see (that) in practice first, consistently. And I haven't seen it consistently in practice, and that's what we look for, is perfection in practice."