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Raiders running back Darren McFadden allayed any concerns about his long layoff within a three-play span, yet that didn't earn him time off in the remaining exhibition games.
In those three plays Monday night, McFadden netted 4 yards on a run, 18 on a catch-and-run play in which he lined up as a wide receiver and 16 on a burst around the left side.
This came in his first game since a severe foot injury last October that kept him out of the Raiders' final nine games of last season.
Despite McFadden's impressive showing in the Raiders' 3-0 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, coach Dennis Allen said the running back still needs even more work in game settings between now and the regular-season opener Sept. 10 against San Diego.
"Darren needs to get his touches so that he goes into the regular season ready to go," Allen said in a conference call, "and that's the most important thing for him is to make sure he's fully ready to roll when the opening game comes off on Monday night."
McFadden has said that he welcomes as many touches as he can get before the first regular-season game.
It's likely Allen will indulge McFadden with a handful Friday against Arizona and several more in the third game before shutting down McFadden for the exhibition finale.
Benson told
"Both teams that needed backs," Benson said. "They talk about a Super Bowl around here, not about winning their first playoff game."
That, presumably, was in reference to the Lions' and Raiders' recent history of playoff futility. The Raiders last appeared in the playoffs in 2002. The Lions made the playoffs last season to end an 11-year drought.
Benson's name had been linked to the Raiders for some time before he signed with the Packers. However, the Raiders never professed any interest in Benson, other than saying they evaluate every free agent.
Speculation kicked into high gear in light of injuries suffered by backup backs Taiwan Jones (hamstring) and Mike Goodson (neck) the first two weeks of training camp.
Goodson suffered his injury Aug. 7, when he collided with linebacker Philip Wheeler on a short pass over the middle.
Goodson was immobilized on the field and taken by ambulance to Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa. Tests returned negative, and Goodson rejoined the team the same day.
"If he's able to practice this week, we'll get him in the game and let him play against Arizona," Allen said.
"Well, I thought he did a nice job," Allen said. "He executed like he's been executing all of camp, caught the ball well, was able to get up the field. So, Rod Streater, he played really well."
Streater has gone from an undrafted free agent to a player who appears to be a lock to make the 53-man roster.
Wisniewski left the Cowboys game after only one series.
"It wasn't a double coverage situation," Allen said in defense of Palmer. "It was a thing you coach a quarterback to do, to take a shot when you get those situations.
"Jacoby could have been a little bit better at the end of the route there trying to break that thing up. Overall, you're going to take that shot."
Ford was unavailable for comment Monday night and Tuesday.
