After missing last week’s game due to a hand injury, it appears as if the Broncos leading running back will return to the field this weekend against Oakland.
Willis McGahee participated fully in practice Friday, and Head Coach John Fox listed his status as probable for Sunday’s game.
“The incision has healed,” McGahee said. “That was the real reason why I didn’t play last week, because it wasn’t healed. It has healed now. I just need to take care of it, that’s all. That’s about it, make sure it’s clean.”
He said that his injury doesn’t affect the way he carries the ball and he doesn’t have any pain associated with his hand.
“I’m going to run the regular way, the way I’ve been running ever since I got here,” McGahee said.
He added that his grip hasn’t hampered him.
“It’s strong,” McGahee said. “It’s good, and it just gets better. I have two days of rest until gameday, so I’m good.”
McGahee said he’s not concerned about the Raiders targeting his injured hand. In fact, he says the way he protects his hand while carrying the ball now has actually helped him in the running game.
“If they’re targeting my hand, then they’re going to have more things to worry about than just my hand,” McGahee said. “I’m really not worried about it; I just have to protect myself. It actually helped me run a little lower.”
Whether he is in or not, McGahee hopes the Broncos can run the ball against the Raiders with the same success they’ve had recently. Over the last four games, the Broncos have averaged 165 yards per game on the ground.
“That’s always my main concern, getting the run game going, regardless of the situation — if I’m not playing or if I am playing,” McGahee said. “That’s one thing we have to go back to getting going, get those 100-yard (rushing games) going again.”
INJURY REPORT
Here is are the Broncos and Raiders final injury reports with players’ game statuses.
For Denver:
For Oakland:
Below are photos from Friday’s practice.
-Kenny Legan
Tags: hand, Injury report, Week 9, Willis McGahee
Thx for da words bay … I do spend time in church but I do with other things. Last 2 games are the only ones I’ve missed. But I caught 2nd half of miami and the 4th in detroit. So my grasp of what’s going on isn’t too good to talk about alot … that’s why I mainly dsy stuff like it will take time, he is new with his recievers and needs timing, etc cuz I never saw all the plays myself but I should this week. As far as my personel evaluation I go on emotion and what I want to happen, rather than what I actually think will happen. Same with my broncos predictions. That’s why I’ve never selected us to lose. Emotion and what I want to happen over being right. At least that’s how I opperate. As far as the win loss predictions go, it was more a statement on how quick things change. Earlier in the season I think we had way more win predictions which just leads me to see how many people don’t believe in this team anymore