RADIO
Mike Washington Jr. Is a Must-Stash After Strong NFL Debut
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. made good use of his limited work in Sunday's 27-13 win over the Miami Dolphins, turning seven carries into 41 yards. Ashton Jeanty still owned the backfield with 23 carries and six catches, so Washington is not pushing for a starting fantasy spot in Week 2. He is becoming harder to leave on waiver wires, though. The Raiders traded up to take Washington 122nd overall in April, and the 6-foot-2, 228-pound rookie opened the season second to Jeanty on the depth chart. Washington also handled first-team work when Jeanty left an August practice with an injury, giving Las Vegas a chance to see him with the starting offense before the games counted. Seven carries do not give Washington much standalone value yet, especially with Jeanty healthy. They do reinforce his place as the back fantasy managers want behind him. Washington should be stashed in 12-team leagues before that role becomes more expensive, rather than viewed as a Week 2 play against the Chargers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ashton Jeanty Leads Raiders to Week 1 Win vs. Dolphins
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty had 23 carries for 102 rushing yards and added six receptions for 45 yards and two receiving touchdowns in Sunday's 27-13 win against the visiting Miami Dolphins. The second-year back from Boise State was quarterback Kirk Cousins' preferred target in Week 1, and he hauled in all six of his targets in the home-opening victory. Jeanty was a workhorse in 2025, logging 266 carries for 975 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie campaign, and he is expected to keep shouldering a heavy workload early in the 2026 season. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak will likely lean on Jeanty again in Week 2 against the host Los Angeles Chargers, who ranked fifth in the league against the pass last season but were inconsistent against the run. Jeanty remains a high-end RB2 for fantasy managers as the Raiders hit the road to face the Bolts.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ashton Jeanty a High-End RB2 Option in Favorable Week 1 Matchup
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty gave fantasy managers a scare when he suffered an ankle injury in a training camp practice late in the summer. However, the 22-year-old is off the injury report and will be active in the Raiders' season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Jeanty operated as a three-down workhorse in 2025, recording 975 rushing yards, 346 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns on 321 touches across 17 games. He's expected to play a similar role in 2026 and should have a better offensive ecosystem around him under the Raiders' new head coach and play-caller, Klint Kubiak. Jeanty also has a favorable matchup on paper in Week 1 against Miami, which allowed the seventh-most rushing yards (2,251) in the NFL in 2025. The Raiders may take a touch or two off of Jeanty's plate given the time he missed with the ankle injury, but he still profiles as a high-end RB2 option for fantasy managers in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mike Washington Jr. Carries Deep-League Appeal into Week 1
A fourth-round pick out of Arkansas, Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. recorded 1,296 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns on 195 touches in his final collegiate season. After an impressive showing in the preseason, Washington Jr. is now set to open his first NFL season as the RB2 in Las Vegas behind star Raiders back Ashton Jeanty. When Jeanty is fully healthy, Washington Jr. may struggle to earn a fantasy-relevant workload. However, Jeanty suffered an ankle injury late in training camp that has limited his availability in practice over the last few weeks. While Jeanty will be active for the Raiders' season-opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Washington Jr. may see a few extra touches. In deeper league formats, Washington Jr. profiles as a low-end flex option in a favorable Week 1 matchup against Miami.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dylan Laube Off the Fantasy Radar Entirely
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube is no longer worth rostering in fantasy football. There was a stretch where Laube had some appeal as a handcuff behind Ashton Jeanty, but he never ended up logging more than four touches in a single game last season. The New Hampshire product now has 10 career offensive touches and two career fumbles, which is not a good ratio, although it's worth noting that he has also earned plenty of returns on special teams. Laube opens the season as the No. 3 running back on the Raiders' roster, and it's hard to see him carving out any sort of offensive role behind Jeanty and up-and-coming rookie Mike Washington Jr. Both backs have generated plenty of buzz throughout the offseason, so they're both on the fantasy radar while Laube is essentially a non-factor. He can be dropped in most leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ashton Jeanty Off the Injury Report, Good to Go for Week 1
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) is officially off the injury report and will play in his team's season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jeanty suffered an ankle injury in training camp that has limited his practice availability leading up to the regular season, but it appears he will be on the field for Week 1. Across 17 games as a rookie in 2025, Jeanty recorded 1,321 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns on 321 touches. While the 22-year-old averaged just 3.7 yards per carry last season, he should have a significantly improved offensive line in front of him in 2026. The Raiders may take a touch or two off of Jeanty's plate in Week 1, but he still profiles as a three-down workhorse who should see plenty of volume against Miami. Now that he's officially cleared to play, Jeanty profiles as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 option for fantasy managers against Miami.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Ashton Jeanty Feels "Really Good" Ahead of Week 1
Las Vegas Raiders second-year running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) said he feels "really good" and is "super excited" to play in the Week 1 season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Jeanty injured his ankle in an Aug. 23 training camp practice, but he returned to a full practice on Wednesday and practiced again on Thursday, putting him on track to play against the Dolphins this weekend to kick off the 2026 season. "I knew it wasn't anything too bad, even though I couldn't put pressure on my foot," Jeanty said Thursday -- his first time speaking to reporters since the injury. "I figured it wouldn't be anything that's too long-term." Jeanty will be the Raiders' RB1 again this year in what is expected to be an improved offense under new head coach Klint Kubiak, but impressive rookie Mike Washington Jr. will also be involved, and he could have a bigger role than usual in Week 1 if the Raiders choose to ease Jeanty in following his ankle injury. As long as Jeanty is active for Sunday's game in Vegas, he should be locked into all starting fantasy lineups in the season opener.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Ashton Jeanty Will Play on Sunday
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice, and NFL Insider Adam Schefter confirmed on Thursday that he would play in the season opener against the Dolphins. Jeanty injured his ankle in late August, drawing headlines with a dramatic exit, but he has since returned to the practice field and is not expected to be limited in Week 1. In his absence, fourth-round rookie Mike Washington Jr. positioned himself for a significant change-of-pace role through three dominant preseason outings, and it remains to be seen how new head coach Klint Kubiak will split carries in his first game with the Raiders. After handling a bell cow role as a rookie, expectations are high for Jeanty if the offense as a whole can take a step forward, and he is RotoBaller's RB15 for Week 1.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Ashton Jeanty Practices in Full on Wednesday
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) was listed as a full participant in the team's first official practice report of the year, according to Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee. Jeanty suffered an ankle injury on Aug. 23 in training camp and was up in the air to suit up for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins. However, his return to a full practice on Wednesday should ensure that he will be active to kick off the 2026 season this weekend against Miami, so fantasy managers should leave him in their starting lineups everywhere. The Boise State product could be a little more boom/bust for fantasy managers if his snaps are limited coming off his ankle injury, especially since the Raiders have been talking up rookie Mike Washington Jr. as a backfield complement after his impressive training camp. At worst, though, Jeanty should be considered an RB2 this weekend against the Dolphins after he had over 1,000 scrimmage yards and 10 total touchdowns as a rookie for a bad Raiders offense in 2025.
Source: The Fresno Bee - Anthony Galaviz
Source: The Fresno Bee - Anthony Galaviz
Ashton Jeanty Will Practice on Wednesday
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said that second-year running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) will practice on Wednesday, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Jeanty's Week 1 status against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday has been somewhat up in the air since he sustained a low-ankle sprain in a preseason game on Aug. 23, but the Raiders have maintained optimism that he will play all along, and his presence at practice (even if limited) is a good sign. If healthy in 2026, the 22-year-old former sixth overall pick from Boise State should be at least a strong RB2 for fantasy managers in a Raiders offense that is expected to be more consistent under Kubiak. In his first NFL campaign in 2025, Jeanty had 1,321 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns (five rushing, five receiving) in 17 starts. Jeanty could be a bit more volatile for fantasy managers in the Week 1 season opener this year if he is at less than 100 percent, especially with rookie backup Mike Washington Jr. gaining some steam after a strong training camp this summer.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Mike Washington Jr. Could See a Key Week 1 Role
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. led all qualified runners with a 7.3 yards-per-carry average during the 2026 preseason. Following a dominant effort across all three games, he has positioned himself as not just an important insurance back, but as a player who could see a standalone role as early as Week 1. 2025 sixth overall pick Ashton Jeanty (ankle) handled 334 opportunities as a rookie, but upon his arrival from Seattle, head coach Klint Kubiak immediately espoused the value of a committee running back approach. In Washington, he may have found a player to help lighten Jeanty's workload, particularly with the former first-rounder already dealing with an ankle injury. With the Raiders still holding one of the league's lowest projected win totals, it may be difficult for the team to support two usable fantasy backs, but Washington's preseason push makes him an intriguing end-of-bench stash who would see his value catapult if ever forced into a larger role by injury.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mike Washington Jr. Has Impressed Ahead of Week 1
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. put on a show during the preseason and is expected to have a role in the backfield this season. In three preseason games, Washington totaled 23 carries for 168 yards and a touchdown, averaging a whopping 7.3 yards per carry. There were reports that head coach Klint Kubiak was "jumping on the table" to draft the former Razorback running back. With Kubiak's history in Seattle running a two-back committee, Washington will have a role this season. While things are trending up for second-year back Ashton Jeanty (ankle), who suffered what appeared to be a serious injury in practice on August 23rd, Washington should still produce against the Miami Dolphins, who allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs last season. While he's not a startable option for fantasy managers if Jeanty is active, the rookie running back offers upside as a handcuff option behind the already banged-up Jeanty.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ashton Jeanty A Riskier Pick Due to Ankle Injury
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) suffered a sprained ankle in the preseason rather than a more serious injury that was feared, and ESPN Insider Adam Schefter said he has a "legitimate chance to play in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins." However, with the injury and the emergence of rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. in camp, there is real worry in selecting Jeanty in the late first round, which was where he was projected prior to his injury. The good news is it was only a sprained ankle; the bad news is there could be more of a split in carries than originally thought with Washington. Washington has looked good in camp and is averaging 7.3 yards per carry in preseason games. General manager John Spytek has praised Washington this fall: "We have an expectation that he's going to help us win football games this year," Spytek told Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com.
Source: ESPN.com, Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com, Ryan McFadden
Mike Washington Jr. "Is Going to be a Thing in Fantasy Football"
The Las Vegas Raiders are optimistic about the health of running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle), NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports, but that doesn't mean rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. will take a back seat this season. Rapoport says Washington "is going to be a thing this year, not just in real football, in fantasy football as well." Rapoport went on to say, "he for sure is going to be a weapon in Las Vegas." Washington stands out as a sleeper pick even if Jeanty does return to full health. Washington finished this preseason with 168 rushing yards on 23 carries for 7.3 yards per rush. Jeanty is recovering from a low ankle sprain that looked a little bit worse to teammates at the time. But now it looks like Jeanty is considered day-to-day with the injury. He is a top-of-the-line running back, but it seems as if Washington is carving out a role for himself in Las Vegas this season.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Klint Kubiak Optimistic About Ashton Jeanty's Week 1 Status
When asked if he was optimistic about second-year running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) being able to play in the Week 1 season opener versus the Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said, "Yes," with a sly grin, according to Levi Edwards of the team's official website. Jeanty has not practiced with the team since suffering what is believed to be a low-ankle sprain in training camp practice on Aug. 23, but he worked off to the side with trainers on Tuesday and is apparently making progress. If the former first-rounder from Boise State can avoid setbacks going into next week's practices, it looks like he will have a good shot at suiting up on Sunday, Sept. 13. With that said, the 22-year-old could have his workload limited against Miami if he is active, with the Raiders saying that they expect rookie Mike Washington Jr. to have a key role early on, even if Jeanty is available. Going into his second year in the NFL, Jeanty should be viewed as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 for fantasy purposes after scoring 10 total touchdowns (five rushing, five receiving) and finishing as the RB13 in half-PPR scoring as a rookie in 2025.
Source: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards
Source: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards
