Practice Injury Raises Concerns for Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty went down during Sunday's practice, leaving the field unable to put weight on his right leg. The injury occurred roughly two-thirds of the way through the session, as Jeanty ran a route and dove for a low pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins. Reports indicated there was no collision with coverage from cornerback Darien Porter, and he landed awkwardly on the turf grass inside the practice facility.
The scene was somber. Jeanty stayed down for some time and had to be helped off by two trainers. Teammates went silent, then took a knee and were seen praying as Jeanty exited the field. Sports Illustrated described the moment as sobering, while reporting the team had not issued a statement. OnSI's Hondo Carpenter said the practice went silent, and his teammates appeared to fear the worst.
The Raiders have not shared details on the severity, and no official announcement has been made. However, ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport later reported that Jeanty is believed to have sprained his ankle. They said the Raiders are unsure how long he will be out, but it is not considered a long-term injury. Sam Warren of The Athletic reported similarly that Jeanty was unable to put weight on his right leg and did not return, and that teammates held a moment of prayer.
Jeanty is a central piece of the Raiders' offense, selected with the No. 6 pick in the 2025 draft out of Boise State. As a rookie, he rushed for 975 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 3.7 yards per carry, and added 55 receptions for 346 yards and five scores. Entering his second season, he was expected to take on an even larger role under head coach Klint Kubiak, who has emphasized making Jeanty a focus of the offense. The timing of the injury is unfortunate, as the Raiders are preparing for their final preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night, with the season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13.
Melv showing the same style of misfortune across key personnel in recent years: Brock Bowers topped the team in receiving but injured his foot in Week 1 last season, and Malcolm Koonce went through something similar days before the 2024 opener. The team finished last season with a bevy of uncertainty and will have to monitor the running backs behind Jeanty.
Immediate Fallout and a Rookie Ready
One early response was to elevate rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. to the first team for the remainder of practice. Washington had already been splitting starting reps with Jeanty, and he had shown well in preseason action, with a 56-yard game against the Houston Texans and a 53-yard run in the first exhibition.
"I've just been focused on the present, being where my feet are," Washington said in a statement, indicating he's ready to step in if called upon. He was part of a rotations that included veteran running backs, and the coaching staff has stressed they want to challenge him to take on a bigger role.
If that role is needed in the regular season, the offensive line will need to protect whoever is carrying the ball. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated said if Jeanty's injury lingers, it could impact when the Raiders turn to rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, as they want to surround him with sufficient talent.
Perspectives
Mike Washington Jr. — New Chance: The rookie running back is the primary beneficiary to see the field, having already impressed in the preseason and now expected to see more work if Jeanty misses time. "I've just been focused on the present," he said, signaling he's ready for the opportunity.
Klint Kubiak — Head Coach: Kubiak has stressed the importance of competition in the locker room, telling reporters: "We've got another week of playing. I don't want anyone to be comfortable in their job." That sentiment apply to every position, including the backfield, as the team adapts.
Albert Breer — QB Situation: Breer of Sports Illustrated highlighted how Jeanty's injury could impact the Raiders' quarterback plan, saying the team is cautious about playing rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza without a strong supporting cast.
Kareem Hunt — Potential Replacement: If Jeanty's injury is prolonged, NFL analyst Nathan Jahnke of PFF suggested the Raiders consider trading for Tyrone Tracy or reta Connor, and called Kareem Hunt a good free agent option. Hunt has a track record of back-to-back 1,000-yard years and returned to the Chiefs in 2024.