Raiders OC Greg Knapp clarified that Taiwan Jones' ball-security issues have involved practice reps.

Jones sometimes has trouble with handoffs in practice -- even without contact. The coaches are looking for improvement before entrusting Jones to a significant role on game days.

Following Sunday's loss to the Ravens, coach Dennis Allen admitted that he doesn't trust Taiwan Jones.

Jones played behind both Marcel Reece and Jeremy Stewart Sunday. "We have to know when he goes into the game, he's going to know what to do and he's going to protect the football and he's got to be able to stay healthy ... as he improves those things, he'll get more playing time," Allen said. To Jones' credit, he didn't complain or sulk. "It's my job to earn their trust," he said. It's unlikely the speedy Jones will be able to do that before next week's game against the Saints.

Taiwan Jones rushed just twice for six yards and caught a seven-yard screen pass in the Raiders' Week 10 loss to Baltimore.

Both coach Dennis Allen and OC Greg Knapp stated publicly that Jones wasn't trusted by the coaching staff leading up to the Week 10 game, so it really shouldn't surprise anyone that his role was so minimal. The fact that he only got two touches and was a third-stringer behind Marcel Reece and Jeremy Stewart was telling. Hang onto Jones to see what happens as we proceed toward Week 11 against the Saints, but it's hard to imagine reinserting him into fantasy lineups.

CSN Bay Area's Paul Gutierrez expects Taiwan Jones to be the "bell cow" in Baltimore this week with FB Marcel Reece playing primarily in passing situations.

It may be the first and last time we ever see "bell cow" and "Taiwan Jones" in the same sentence. Coordinator Greg Knapp attributes Jones' limited early-season role to "ball security and assignments," noting that injuries have limited his practice reps so far. "But I'm excited for the young kid. I hope he gets a chance to get in there and get some successful plays to build his confidence," said Knapp. "He's one of the fastest I've been around. He has that ability to burst and separate right away. That trait is obviously not coachable." Jones has split first-team reps with Marcel Reece this week.

After stating early in the week that Taiwan Jones' ball-security issues were a concern, coach Dennis Allen insists the Raiders have "confidence" in the expected Week 10 starter.

"He's been a little up and down and a little injury-plagued, so it's been kind of tough to evaluate because he's missed some time," Allen said. "But ... if he's called on to step in and play, then we fully anticipate him stepping in to perform and do the job." Carson Palmer confirmed that Jones will "get his touches and I can't wait. He's so electrifying. He puts his foot in the ground and goes." Jones and Marcel Reece split first-team reps on Thursday. Jones will be bumped into the top-30 in Rotoworld's Week 10 rankings.

Taiwan Jones was the first-team tailback at Wednesday's practice.

Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson are both sidelined by ankle injuries. The exceptionally fast Jones is prepping for a major boost in touches this week, but we wouldn't expect a true feature back role. He's just 6'0/195, reportedly struggles with fumbles, has been injury-prone and profiles as more of a change-of-pace option. Look for the Raiders to go pass-heavy against the Ravens, highlighting the skills of Marcel Reece and perhaps getting Jones in space. It's crucial to note that after McFadden and Goodson went down last week, Reece clearly played ahead of Jones. Our initial rankings have Reece 27th among running backs and Jones 38th.

The San Francisco Chronicle believes Taiwan Jones will be the Raiders' starting running back against the Ravens.

Beat writer Vittorio Tafur is connecting the dots with the Raiders appearing unlikely to sign a free agent back in the absence of Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson, but most signs have suggested FB Marcel Reece will be the lead dog in the Raiders' backfield this weekend. However, Reece does have only one rushing attempt on the season compared to 26 catches. Even if Jones - who's carried the ball just one time this season, as well - ends up with more rushes than Reece, we fully expect Reece to tally more touches. He's the add in fantasy leagues, at least until we see how things play out on the field.

Coach Dennis Allen stated Monday that the Raiders don't trust Taiwan Jones due to ball-security issues.

Jones didn't fumble on 20 preseason touches, so he must be putting the football on the ground in practices. He's also clearly not a trusted pass protector, as Marcel Reece played ahead of Jones in pass-heavy comeback mode in Week 9 against the Bucs. Jones is worth picking up in fantasy leagues, but his workload will be a huge question mark for Week 10. He'll be a dicey flex option.

Despite Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson's in-game Week 9 ankle injuries, Taiwan Jones played just 5-of-81 snaps against the Bucs.

Marcel Reece took over as the primary back. Oakland's new coaching staff doesn't seem to have much trust in Jones, whose two touches against Tampa Bay were his first two all year. Reece can pass protect and play in the passing game, and if McFadden and Goodson both miss Week 10 the fullback might come out ahead in the "battle" for touches. We'll monitor this situation all week.

Taiwan Jones (knee) has resumed practicing.

Jones missed Sunday's game. In the mix to back-up Darren McFadden before the season, Jones has yet to receive a carry, and is completely off the redraft-league radar.

Raiders declared RB Taiwan Jones, TE Richard Gordon, OLs Khalif Barnes and Lucas Nix, CB Shawntae Spencer, and DL Jack Crawford inactive for Week 7 against the Jaguars.

Terrelle Pryor is the third quarterback. Jones has a knee injury, so Mike Goodson will continue to spell Darren McFadden. Barnes has been battling a groin injury for the past few weeks. Gordon has a hamstring injury.

Raiders RB Taiwan Jones (ribs) returned to a limited practice on Thursday.

Jones played just 1-of-74 snaps versus the Chargers in the opener, failing to reel in a pitch from Marcel Reece on a reverse. Jones will likely be available at Miami, but he's not a good bet to see more than a few plays.

Raiders RB Taiwan Jones missed Wednesday's practice with a rib injury.

Jones suffered the injury in Monday's loss even though he never touched the ball on offense. According to coach Dennis Allen, Jones is still battling with Mike Goodson for No. 2 duties behind Darren McFadden. Neither player is worth owning behind DMC, who is trending toward being one of the league's most heavily worked backs this season.

Coach Dennis Allen confirmed that RB Taiwan Jones' role was scaled back due to ball-handling concerns Monday night.

After muffing a poorly throw pitch from Marcel Reece on a reverse, Jones booted the ball toward his own goal line for a 25-yard loss. It's ironic that the play landed him in the doghouse in favor of Mike Goodson, who has been one of the most fumble-prone backs in the league. Darren McFadden still has no clear-cut "handcuff."

Taiwan Jones is in line for kickoff return duties with Jacoby Ford's (foot) status in doubt this week.

CB Phillip Adams, recently claimed off waivers from Seattle, is expected to be the punt returner at Arizona. As Darren McFadden's change-of-pace back, Jones could be a fantasy option in return-yardage leagues for Week 1.

CSN Bay Area feels that Taiwan Jones "all but sewed up" the Raiders No. 2 tailback job after a strong performance in Sunday's preseason game against the Lions.

Jones ran for 50 yards on 10 carries in his first preseason outing this season. He had been dealing with a troublesome hamstring, but appears to be fully recovered. Even if Jones is listed second on the depth chart, Marcel Reece and a healthy Mike Goodson would see work, as well, if Darren McFadden went down with an injury.

Raiders RB Taiwan Jones (hamstring) has resumed practicing in training camp.

An injury-prone player, Jones missed Oakland's first two preseason games and appears to be clearly behind Mike Goodson in the battle to back up Darren McFadden. Jones might be worth an in-season waiver claim should McFadden go down, but Goodson is the back to target if you're pursuing a handcuff.

Taiwan Jones (hamstring) is not expected to play in Monday's preseason opener.

Jones has been sidelined for eight straight days now due to his "strain." With Mike Goodson (neck) also sidelined, undrafted rookie Lonyae Miller has been acting as Darren McFadden's backup. It doesn't look like any clear handcuff is going to emerge for McFadden owners.

Taiwan Jones has been getting second-team reps early in training camp, with Mike Goodson on the third team.

This report is through Tuesday, when Goodson tweaked a hamstring. Back on the field Wednesday, Goodson broke several long runs, though it's not clear if he was still behind Jones in the pecking order. This will be a battle to monitor throughout August.

According to the Contra Costa Times, Taiwan Jones had an "impressive three-day showing" at Raiders minicamp, and displayed "otherworldly" speed in the open field.

Most reports have suggested Mike Goodson will be Darren McFadden's primary handcuff, but it sounds like there's a good chance Jones will be able to carve out a change-of-pace role after touching the ball just 18 times as a rookie. Jones is still off-the-radar outside dynasty leagues, however.