Andre

Brown

The Raiders brought back Darren McFadden Tuesday, have intriguing prospect Latavius Murray and can use Marcel Reece in a pinch. But that doesn’t mean they’re done at the running back spot. Brown would be inexpensive depth and is capable of carrying heavy workloads when called upon.

Nevermind a porous defense. Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie is going all-in on injury-plagued running backs in decline, first re-signing Darren McFadden and now targeting Brown to ostensibly form a “one-two punch” of sub-4.0 YPC backs. Brown, 27, has not drawn interest elsewhere during the free agency period.

Running back increasingly is becoming a major need area for the G-Men. Brown, 25, was set to make a hard push for a roster spot after battling injuries his first three seasons in the league. For his career, Brown has only two rushes in four appearances. The Giants may look early in the draft for a running back, perhaps eyeballing Boise State’s Doug Martin at No. 32.

Brown was accused of violating the league’s PED policy, but he only tested positive for Adderall, which he’s been using since he came into the league. Brown, 25, used the offseason to gain weight in an effort to become the Giants’ “next Brandon Jacobs.” He broke in as a 224-pound back, and is up to 240.

Ware and Andre Brown rotated snaps after first-round pick David Wilson started in place of Ahmad Bradshaw and put on a show. Ware was supposedly in the mix for goal-line and short-yardage carries, but that’s clearly not the case. He’ll enter the Giants’ preseason finale with 17 rushes for 49 yards and a score. He didn’t catch a pass in the first two games. Brown has 16 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown, and two catches for six yards.

The Giants have still not updated Bradshaw’s status or revealed any kind of diagnosis. But the Daily News takes his Tuesday absence as a sign that he will not play in Thursday’s game against the Panthers. If that’s the case, Andre Brown projects as the starter and David Wilson will get a chance to emerge from the doghouse. The Giants will release an official injury report later Tuesday.

Asked to shed light on Bradshaw’s nebulous injury, Coughlin offered only a one-word response: “neck.” We are not expecting him to play after missing Tuesday’s practice. Andre Brown is a good bet to lead the backfield in touches versus the Panthers.

Coach Tom Coughlin is holding hope “against all odds” that Ahmad Bradshaw (neck) will be available, but it doesn’t look good. Brown played well in relief of Bradshaw versus the Bucs and appears to have the coaching staff’s trust. Explosive rookie David Wilson played just six snaps in Week 2, largely due to his struggles with ball security and pass protection.

“I thought Andre did a nice job,” Coughlin said. “He certainly was the focal point once Ahmad came out of the game. David (Wilson) has his plays and certainly will get some more time as well.” Brown will be a top-30 fantasy option versus the Panthers if Bradshaw is inactive this week.

Brown spent last season on the practice squad and entered Sunday as the strict third-down back. But thanks to Bradshaw’s injury and the coaching staff’s lack of trust in flashy rookie David Wilson, Brown ended up with 13 carries for 71 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion. He added two catches for 19 yards. If Bradshaw isn’t ready for Thursday’s game against the Panthers, Brown projects to spearhead a timeshare with Wilson.