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Is Ashton Jeanty injured or healthy? Should you draft Ashton Jeanty or Mike Washington Jr. in fantasy football in 2026? Andy's expert draft analysis for these Raiders RBs.
Another potential major injury has struck the fantasy world. On Sunday evening, Las Vegas Raiders star running back Ashton Jeanty was seen limping off the practice field.
While it is still too early to tell if the injury is overly serious, this does put his fantasy value in question ahead of a major draft week.
Is Jeanty healthy? Should fantasy managers move this handcuff, Mike Washington Jr, up their draft boards? Let's dive in!
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Is Ashton Jeanty Injured or Healthy?
According to Vincent Bonsignore of The California Post, the second-year running back out of Boise State was unable to finish practice on Sunday. After suffering this apparent knee injury, it was reported that Jeanty could not put any pressure on his leg while exiting the field.
Additionally, following his departure from the field, the team gathered to address the injury, suggesting it could be serious and cut into his regular-season playing time.
Even though there is not much information as of this writing, given that he was unable to put any pressure on his leg, there is a strong possibility that Jeanty will be unable to suit up for the start of the regular season, and managers should be concerned.
Fantasy managers should continue to pay close attention to his status over the next few days, as the Raiders will likely provide more details.
Bad news: Ashton Jeanty got hurt in practice today, could not put pressure on his leg when leaving the field. Afterward, the @Raiders gathered as a team to acknowledge the injury with a moment
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) August 23, 2026
Ashton Jeanty Fantasy Football Outlook
While the injury does put his status in serious question. When healthy, Jeanty possesses near RB1 upside and is well worth a selection near the back half of the opening round of all fantasy drafts.
Jeanty joined the Raiders with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Boise State. In college, Jeanty established himself as the clear No. 1 running back prospect in last year's class. In his final collegiate campaign, Jeanty ran for an eye-catching 2,601 yards en route to finishing second in Heisman voting.
However, his rookie season in the NFL was not as glamorous, as he struggled on one of the league's worst offensive units. With the Raiders, Jeanty would average a modest 3.7 YPC and total 975 yards with five rushing scores. However, his work as a receiver did greatly boost his fantasy value, as he brought in 55 targets for 346 yards and another five touchdowns.
With the addition of Klint Kubiak to the coaching staff (head coach) and a much-improved offensive line, Jeanty appeared poised to enjoy a major bounce-back campaign in 2026. However, this recent injury now puts his availability in serious doubt.
Too early to speculate on the severity, but Ashton Jeanty indeed left practice early with assistance from the training staff.
He was diving for a catch in the flat and landed awkwardly.
— Levi Edwards (@theleviedwards) August 23, 2026
Mike Washington Jr. Fantasy Football Outlook
While Jeanty appeared poised for a workhorse role in 2026, his handcuff Mike Washington Jr. could see his value soar in the event he misses a portion of the regular season.
Washington joined the Raiders in the fourth round of the 2026 Draft and has since emerged as the clear No. 2 option in this backfield. In his final campaign at Arkansas, Washington would run for 1,070 yards and catch eight touchdown passes and add a touchdown through the air.
However, Washington's play in the preseason has been the primary driver of his fantasy value. In his preseason debut, Washington ran for 63 yards on just six carries, and in his second game, he added another 56 yards on nine attempts.
Behind him on the depth chart are the unproven Dylan Laube and journeyman Dare Ogunbowale. Laube ran for just nine yards on nine carries as a rookie, and Ogunbowale totaled just 25 yards and a score on 11 carries last fall. If Jeanty were to miss time, Washington could slide into a near three-down role early in his NFL career.
Mike Washington Jr. is going to be a PROBLEM
This type of size and explosiveness as an RB2 is dangerous pic.twitter.com/Z89AOkyiRL
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) August 21, 2026
Should I Draft Ashton Jeanty or Mike Washington Jr. in Fantasy Football?
Before Sunday's injury, it appeared Jeanty was a top selection near the bottom of the first round, and Washington was no more than a late-round handcuff to the potential workhorse. However, following this potentially major injury, Jeanty's short-term fantasy stock takes a major hit.
Fantasy managers who are drafting in the next 24-48 hours should avoid Jeanty at a cost and instead pivot to similarly priced running backs such as Saquon Barkley, Omarion Hampton, Derrick Henry and Chase Brown. While Jeanty would be the preferred option in this group, his uncertain status could be detrimental to your season if he were to miss a significant portion of it.
In return, Washington has seen his fantasy value soar from late-round stash to potential mid-round league winner. While it is too early to move Washington up to the first five rounds of the draft, those looking to take a high-risk, high-reward mid-round flier should consider reaching for Washington in your draft room.
While Washington could quickly revert to a handcuff if Jeanty avoids a major injury, any setback could push Washington into a starting role at some point during the 2026 campaign.
Given the lack of details surrounding the injury, Jeanty should be kept off draft boards (relative to his current ADP) for the time being.
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