Like Darren McFadden, Jacoby Ford has had his career hindered by the injury bug. The receiver out of Clemson busted out onto the scene his rookie year helping the Raiders to an 8-8 season. For most teams that would be mediocre. But for a team that had suffered like the Raiders it was a sign. A sign that Oakland was no longer a joke. No more were they the team that was marked off as an easy win on opponent’s schedules. But things tend to get worst before they get better, and an ugly part of the game came at an awful time.

During a routine preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, Ford suffered a lisfranc ankle injury. Most of you will recall Matt Schaub and Darren McFadden succumbing to the same injury.

However, Ford will be healthy and ready to go in the 2013 season. Back in pads Ford brings game changing ability to Oakland’s offense. Kansas City can surely attest to that as Ford broke the Raider’s team record for most all purpose yards by a rookie against the Chiefs. Not only is he an offensive weapon, but the former track star serves as a deadly kick returner as well.

July 31, 2012; Napa, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jacoby Ford (12) during training camp at the Napa Valley Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

The Kevin Hart lookalike is one of the fastest players in the NFL recording a 40 time as fast as 4.126 seconds. Had he ran that at the NFL scouting combine it would have broken Bo Jackson’s record. Ford’s Flash-like speed and spidey hands give Matt Flynn a great target out of the slot.

Flynn is most proven throwing in west coast offensive type schemes. Relying on short dinks and dumps with great accuracy is surely something Ford can help with. His natural running ability is also greatly utilized in running off safeties, opening up teammates like Denarius Moore and Rod Streater.

All of Raider Nation should be extremely hyped to see Ford returning to the team, or coming home as the video would have it. The future is bright as this young receiver looks to help Oakland win many games and one day become a perennial Pro-Bowler.

That’s my opinion anyways. But what does Raider Nation think? Is Ford good enough? Standing at only 5’9 is he too small to play in the NFL? Comment below!

Nov 4, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders fan Ralph Martinez (Living Shield Man) poses during tailgate festivities before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

One thing that is much more refreshing about the Dennis Allen era when compared to the Hue Jackson regime is the honesty. If it were Jackson still calling the shots in Oakland then odds are we’d know more about what happened to Jimmy Hoffa than we would of any injuries that have occurred.

Jackson was notorious for downplaying the injured on his roster, often referring to injury occurrences as “dings”. Jackson strung out the Darren McFadden situation for the balance of the regular season even though Run DMC couldn’t jog let alone play football.

Coach Allen is taking a much more direct and honest approach. The proof of that is in how Jacoby Ford’s foot ailment has been handled.

The Raiders gave Ford just under a month to heal until they shipped him off for surgery. That’s something you might not have ever seen on Jackson’s watch. Aside from that Allen offered some serious insight into Ford’s odds of returning this season. Again, Allen broke far away from the script Jackson would have authored when he said there is a “strong chance” the Raiders will be Jacoby-less for the season.

That’s right Nation. Don’t plan on seeing #12 again this year. Allen is already contemplating putting Ford on the season ending IR. That seems like the most sensible thing to do.

Given Ford’s lingering foot problems (this is the second time he’s hurt the same foot in as many years) and how long it would take him to get up to speed it only makes sense to shutdown the dynamic returner and receiver.

Now the real question is, have we seen the last of Ford altogether?

It might be a little premature to ponder that but the reality of it is the best of Ford could already be behind him. Given Reggie McKenzie’s removal of the scholarship program it is not too far fetched to assume he’ll move on just as soon as Ford is healthy enough to show what he can or can’t do any longer. But that is in the distant future. For now the only future we know is the immediate one without Ford.

Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

Just two days ago the Raiders had just two healthy wide receivers. With the season opener fast approaching Reggie McKenzie went out and inked Derek Hagan as an insurance policy. If things go according to Dennis Allen’s master plan then Hagan is one policy McKenzie won’t need…at least not for week one.

For two consecutive days now Denarius Moore has been healthy enough to participate in practice. Rookie Juron Criner is moving closer to being a go for Monday. But the real shocker is that Jacoby Ford – he of the bum foot that hasn’t been able to practice for nearly a month – is still not being ruled out for the season opener against the Chargers.

According to Coach Allen, Ford is still very much in the mix to be active for the Week 1 finale.

 “We’re going to hold out and wait until we get closer to game time to go ahead and make that decision. He’s continued to get better. We’ll see where we’re at come gametime.”

How much of that is real talk is anybody’s guess. Not comparing the two coaches but last season Hue Jackson made it seem like Darren McFadden was going to return at any moment. We know how that went. Hopefully that won’t be the case for Ford.

Even if Ford is cleared to play it would seem a little illogical to rush him onto the field. Of course we’d love to see the Silver and Black at full strength. However I’d much prefer seeing Ford for the entire season instead of one game. Forcing him back onto the field too soon could be a bad move. It’s far too early to have players toughing it out. Save that for the playoff push.