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Mike Washington Jr. Has Waiver-Wire Appeal in Week 5 vs. Patriots
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. is in line to play a larger role in Week 5 against the New England Patriots. Superstar back Ashton Jeanty (ankle/foot) didn't practice on Friday and is questionable to play, which opens the door for Washington to expand his repertoire. The rookie out of Arkansas had nine carries for 18 yards in a 30-27 loss to the Chiefs in Week 4, which brings him to 24 carries for 120 yards and one touchdown on the season. The Patriots have allowed 104 rushing yards per game and four rushing TDs on the season, which lets Washington take some pressure off of Kirk Cousins and the receiving corps. Washington is a deep-league stash and a Week 5 waiver-wire pickup with Jeanty questionable to play.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ashton Jeanty a Risky Play in Week 5 Due to Questionable Status
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle, foot) goes from being a must-start to a risky play in Week 5 against the New England Patriots. The second-year running back missed practice on Friday and has been listed as questionable to play due to an ankle/foot injury. It's an unfortunate turn of events, especially against a Patriots defense that is allowing 104 rushing yards per game and four rushing TDs on the season. Jeanty was held to 15 carries for 58 yards in a 30-27 loss to the Chiefs in Week 4, and still hasn't recorded a touchdown this season. Even if Jeanty plays on Sunday, RB2 Mike Washington Jr. appears capable of shouldering a heavier workload. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on Jeanty's status through Saturday before choosing to play him.
Source: Paul Gutierrez via X.com
Source: Paul Gutierrez via X.com
Ashton Jeanty Questionable After Missing Friday's Practice
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle, foot) is officially questionable to play in Week 5 on the road against the New England Patriots on Sunday after missing practice on Friday, head coach Klint Kubiak told Paul Gutierrez of ESPN. Jeanty was a full practice participant on Wednesday before being added to the Week 5 injury report on Thursday and putting in a limited practice. The 22-year-old back is now up in the air to face the Patriots this weekend, so fantasy managers need to be making backup plans in case he is ruled out on Sunday. Fantasy managers should be looking to the waiver wire to potentially add rookie backup Mike Washington Jr., who will have RB2 upside as the Raiders' lead back if Jeanty is not cleared to play this weekend. Jeanty has relied on volume over efficiency so far in 2026, carrying the ball 78 times for 264 yards (3.4 yards per attempt) with no rushing touchdowns through four games. His 19 receptions for 165 yards and two touchdowns have been a nice addition for fantasy managers. Hopefully, we should have a better read on Jeanty's Week 5 status by late Saturday night.
Source: ESPN.com - Paul Gutierrez
Source: ESPN.com - Paul Gutierrez
Ashton Jeanty Not Seen at Practice on Friday
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle, foot) was not on the practice field during the media-viewing period on Friday, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Jeanty was limited on Thursday with an ankle/foot injury. Suddenly, Jeanty's status for Week 5 on the road against the New England Patriots is in question. Fantasy managers looking for an upgrade at a flex spot this weekend might want to grab rookie backup Mike Washington Jr. quickly if he is available on your league's waiver wire. He is currently rostered in 34% of Yahoo leagues. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Jeanty's official status on Friday's final injury report, but as of right now, it looks like he is trending as questionable to play. The 22-year-old first-round pick last year from Boise State would be a big loss for Vegas' offense as they look to bounce back from their first loss of the season. Through four games, Jeanty has seen plenty of volume, carrying the football 78 times for 264 yards (3.4 yards per attempt) and no touchdowns on the ground. Jeanty has added 19 receptions for 165 yards and two receiving TDs. Prepare for the possibility that Jeanty will not be available in Boston.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Ashton Jeanty Listed as Limited With Pair of Injuries
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle, foot) was added to the Week 5 injury report and was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday after he was a full-go on Wednesday, according to Jesse Merrick of Silver & Black Sports Network. Jeanty's status is now worth closely following leading up to Sunday's tilt on the road against the New England Patriots on Sunday. If Jeanty's ankle and foot injuries are serious enough to limit him or keep him sidelined entirely, rookie Mike Washington Jr. would become a must-start in fantasy as at least an RB2 option. The 22-year-old former sixth overall pick last year from Boise State has seen plenty of volume through the first four games of his sophomore season, rushing the ball 78 times for 264 yards (3.4 yards per carry) and no rushing touchdowns. The volume has made up for his lack of efficiency, and Jeanty has added 19 receptions on 24 targets for 165 yards and two receiving touchdowns. If his ankle/foot injuries are not too serious, he should be left in all starting fantasy lineups this weekend in Boston.
Source: Silver & Black Sports Network - Jesse Merrick
Source: Silver & Black Sports Network - Jesse Merrick
Mike Washington Jr. Remains a Priority Waiver-Wire Option
Four games into his NFL career, Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. has recorded 24 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown. Washington Jr.'s workload has been limited by his RB2 status in Las Vegas behind running back Ashton Jeanty. However, Washington Jr. reached double-digit touches for the first time in the Raiders' Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Jeanty has also struggled with rushing efficiency for the second straight season, averaging 3.4 yards per carry so far in 2026 after averaging 3.7 yards per carry in 2025. For now, Washington Jr.'s fantasy upside is limited as long as Jeanty is healthy. Still, Washington Jr. is a premier handcuff running back option, and he may even work his way into some standalone value if Jeanty continues to struggle. In the vast majority of league formats, Washington Jr. should be rostered by fantasy managers heading into Week 5.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mike Washington Jr. Unlikely to See Significant Workload in Week 4
Across the first three games of his NFL career, Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. has recorded 15 carries for 102 yards and a touchdown. The 23-year-old has flashed high-end upside, including rushing for a 36-yard touchdown in the Raiders' Week 3 win over the New Orleans Saints. However, his production upside is limited while playing behind star Las Vegas back Ashton Jeanty, who has operated as a true three-down workhorse. In Week 4, the Raiders will take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City has defended well against the run so far this season, ranking 10th in the NFL in total rushing yards allowed (299). The Chiefs have also been very good at limiting explosive plays on the ground, allowing just one carry of 20 or more yards. Given his limited workload, Washington Jr. needs big plays to be useful for fantasy managers. Washington Jr. remains a high-end handcuff running back option, but he should be left on benches in Week 4.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ashton Jeanty a High-End RB2 in Week 4
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty will shoulder his toughest workload yet when the Silver and Black host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4. Despite still searching for his first rushing touchdown of the season, the second-year back ranks sixth in the NFL in carries (63) and 10th in rushing yards (206), and he adds 13 targets for 97 yards and two passing TDs. Jeanty is also carrying a massive workload, playing over 80% of offensive snaps through Week 3. The Chiefs have allowed fewer than 100 yards on the ground in three straight games, but Jeanty should still produce plenty given his versatile role. He is a high-end RB2 across fantasy formats in Week 4.
Source: Lineups.com
Source: Lineups.com
Mike Washington Jr. a High-Upside Handcuff for Week 4
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. belongs in the high-upside handcuff tier heading into Week 4. Washington only carried five times in Sunday's 35-27 win over New Orleans, but he turned those chances into 54 yards and his first NFL touchdown, including a 36-yard scoring run in the third quarter. He now has 15 carries for 102 yards through three games, but Ashton Jeanty remains the clear lead back and has handled 76 touches while playing nearly 79% of the offensive snaps. That leaves Washington with very little standalone value for now. The appeal is what could happen if Jeanty misses time. Washington sits directly behind him on the depth chart and has already shown enough explosiveness to make that potential workload interesting. He is not a priority add for managers chasing immediate production, but he is one of the better running back stashes available in leagues with room for a handcuff.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ashton Jeanty is Busy in Week 3 Win
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty was busy on the ground during the Week 3 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Jeanty carried the ball 19 times for 56 yards, while hauling in three passes for 37 additional yards in the victory over the Saints. The 22-year-old is the clear workhorse back with 19 carries or more in every game this season. Sadly, it hasn't resulted in a ton of yardage with Jeanty being held to under three yards per carry in each of the last two games. Fantasy managers should expect the Raiders to continue pounding the ball with Jeanty every week. He'll look to have more success on the ground against the Kansas City Chiefs next weekend.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mike Washington Jr. Remains a Bench Stash in Week 3
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. has a favorable matchup with New Orleans in Week 3, but the workload still makes him tough to use. Washington has 10 carries for 48 yards through two games, with seven of those attempts coming in the opener. He dropped to three carries for seven yards against the Chargers and also drew one target. Ashton Jeanty remains the clear lead back and is not listed on Las Vegas' final injury report, so there is no obvious path to a bigger role this week. The matchup is at least encouraging. New Orleans has allowed 273 rushing yards on 55 attempts through two games, good for 5.0 yards per carry. Washington is still listed second behind Jeanty on the Raiders' depth chart and would become much more interesting if the starter were forced out. For Week 3, though, he is better left on fantasy benches as an upside handcuff rather than trusted in a starting lineup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ashton Jeanty Should Have Big Week in Big Easy vs. Saints
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty should rebound in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints after an uncharacteristic Week 2 performance. The Los Angeles Chargers' run defense held Jeanty to 48 yards on 21 carries and forced three drops. Though, it should be noted that he played 81% of snaps and caught four of seven targets for an additional 15 yards on the day. Jeanty will now face a Saints defense that ranks 26th in the league this season after allowing 273 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to start the season. This should jibe better with the second-year back's heavy workload, especially after the logjam he faced in Los Angeles. Jeanty remains an RB1 ahead of Sunday's game in the Big Easy.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mike Washington Jr. Offers Upside Despite Limited Touches
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. remains a worthwhile stash even though his Week 2 role stayed small. Washington carried three times for seven yards and drew one target in Sunday's win over the Chargers after rushing seven times for 41 yards in the opener. Ashton Jeanty briefly left with an ankle injury but returned and continues to dominate the backfield, leaving Washington with limited standalone value. The rookie is still listed second on the Raiders' unofficial depth chart and has 10 carries for 48 yards through two games. That makes the appeal fairly straightforward. Washington is not someone fantasy managers need to force into lineups, but he would be positioned for a much larger workload if Jeanty were forced to miss time. RotoBaller recommends adding him in 12-team leagues and deeper. For now, Washington fits best as a bench stash with upside rather than an aggressive waiver claim.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mike Washington Jr. Should Continue to Play a Role in Week 2
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. saw seven carries for 41 yards and was not involved in the passing game in a 27-13 Week 1 win over the Miami Dolphins. He played well behind starter Ashton Jeanty, who saw 50 offensive snaps, compared to just 13 snaps for Washington. Entering a Week 2 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, Washington will continue to play behind Jeanty, but he should see some touches of his own. Earlier this week, Las Vegas offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko called Washington an "explosive" player and mentioned that the Raiders want to "maximize his talents." In a Week 1 loss, the Chargers allowed the Arizona Cardinals to rush for 116 yards and a touchdown, although L.A. only allowed 3.4 yards per carry. Washington enters Week 2 as RotoBaller's No. 56 running back, and he is projected to score 3.2 points. Washington does not offer much more appeal than a desperation flex play.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ashton Jeanty Poised to Continue RB1 Campaign on Sunday vs. Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty is set for another huge week as the Silver and Black travel to Los Angeles to face the Chargers. The former Heisman Trophy finalist has been nursing an ankle injury but hasn't missed any practice or game time. The ailment clearly hasn't hindered his game, as Jeanty logged 23 carries for 102 rushing yards and added six receptions for 45 yards and two receiving touchdowns against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1. The Raiders haven't defeated the Chargers since 2023 and haven't won at SoFi Stadium since 2020, and Jeanty's well-rounded play will have to be top-notch against an LA rush defense that allowed just 116 yards in Week 1. The second-year back is an RB1 across fantasy formats, even against a tough opponent like LA, as the Raiders aim to start the season 2-0.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
