RADIO
Ashton Jeanty Misses Wednesday's Practice
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) missed another day of practice on Wednesday, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Jeanty worked off to the side with trainers on Tuesday, but he has yet to return to a full practice since injuring his ankle in a training camp practice on Aug. 23. The 22-year-old former first-rounder from Boise State is believed to be dealing with a low-ankle sprain, but it is unclear yet if it will impact his availability for the Week 1 contest against the Miami Dolphins. At the very least, though, rookie Mike Washington Jr. figures to have a key role in Vegas' backfield to open the regular season, even if Jeanty is active on Sunday, Sept. 13. Jeanty still carries low-end RB1/high-end RB2 fantasy appeal in upcoming drafts, and he could be poised for an even bigger season in Year 2 in what should be a better offense after running for 975 yards and five touchdowns on 266 carries in 2025. He also had 55 receptions on 73 targets for 346 yards and another five scores as a receiver in 17 games played. We will have a much better read on Jeanty's Week 1 status once the Raiders start releasing official injury reports next week.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Raiders are Counting on Mike Washington Jr. to Win Games
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. is expected to have a significant role in the backfield this upcoming season. Raiders General Manager John Spytek recently praised head coach Klint Kubiak for drafting Washington. He also added that the team is counting on Washington to win games this upcoming season, Ryan McFadden reports. Lead back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) is uncertain for Week 1, so Washington could immediately slide into a large role in the offense. Once Jeanty is healthy, it sounds like Washington will remain a big part of the running game. The 23-year-old is becoming one of the more important handcuffs to roster in fantasy leagues.
Source: Ryan McFadden
Source: Ryan McFadden
Ashton Jeanty is in "Good Spot" with Ankle Injury
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) was seen working off to the side during Tuesday's practice. This was the first time that Jeanty was seen doing work during a media viewing period since suffering his ankle injury. Raiders General Manager John Spytek recently said that Jeanty is in a good spot following his ankle injury, Ryan McFadden reports. Spytek continued by saying he expects Jeanty to be back in the mix quicker than people would expect. He didn't give an exact timetable, but the Raiders might not know exactly when Jeanty will be ready to play. Mike Washington Jr. could operate as the lead back in Las Vegas in Week 1, but that'll depend on Jeanty's progress over the next few days.
Source: Ryan McFadden
Source: Ryan McFadden
Ashton Jeanty Working With Trainers on Tuesday
Updating a previous report, Las Vegas Raiders second-year running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) is out at practice on Tuesday working off to the side with trainers, according to Sam Warren of The Athletic. It is the first time that Jeanty has been on the field since suffering an ankle injury last week on Aug. 23. The 22-year-old is making progress, but his status for the Week 1 contest is still a bit up in the air. We should have a clearer picture of Jeanty's availability for the start of the 2026 regular season next week when the Raiders start to release official practice reports. If he is limited or out in Week 1, rookie Mike Washington Jr. figures to be the team's top option in the backfield after an impressive training camp and preseason this summer. After the Raiders took Jeanty sixth overall in 2025, he ran for 975 yards and five touchdowns on 266 carries as a rookie, adding 55 receptions on 73 targets for 346 yards and an additional five TDs as a receiver in 17 games. Despite his ankle injury, fantasy managers should consider Jeanty a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 in upcoming drafts.
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Ashton Jeanty Remains Sidelined at Practice
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) remained out of practice Tuesday, according to Ryan McFadden. Jeanty hasn't practiced since suffering a sprained ankle on Aug. 23 when he landed awkwardly while diving for a pass. The injury isn't expected to be a long-term issue, but there still isn't a firm timetable for his return. Head coach Klint Kubiak said Friday that Jeanty was "on the mend" and that the Raiders were counting on him while continuing to assess his availability for the season opener. Tuesday's absence doesn't necessarily signal a setback, but Jeanty is running out of practice time before Week 1. Rookie Mike Washington Jr. has been working with the first-team offense while he's out. Jeanty rushed for 975 yards as a rookie and finished with 1,321 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns. His practice participation later this week should provide a better indication of his Week 1 status.
Source: Ryan McFadden
Source: Ryan McFadden
Mike Washington Jr. Will Have Key Role in Raiders' Backfield
The Las Vegas Raiders trimmed some depth at the running back position on roster cutdown day on Sunday, giving rookie fourth-round RB Mike Washington Jr. an even clearer path to a sizable early-season workload, even if starter Ashton Jeanty (ankle) is ready to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Washington looked good in the team's preseason finale last week against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, rushing eight times for 49 yards, including a couple of chunk gains on the ground. The 23-year-old impressed the Raiders' coaching staff this summer during training camp, and he is firmly entrenched as the RB2 in Sin City, with only Dylan Laube behind him in the running back room. In upcoming fantasy football drafts, managers should view Washington as a strong handcuff option for Jeanty with a potential path to a starting role in Week 1 if Jeanty is limited or ruled out entirely. The drawback to Washington is that he was not very efficient as a pass-catcher in college, and he comes with some ball-security issues. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 49 fantasy RB for 2026.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Ashton Jeanty Avoids Stint on Injured Reserve
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) was not placed on injured reserve prior to the 53-man roster deadline on Sunday, according to Sam Warren of The Athletic. Given that an IR stint carries a minimum four-game absence, the Raiders' decision to keep Jeanty on their 53-man roster suggests that he'll be able to play in some or all of the team's first four games this season. Whether he'll be able to play in Week 1 remains unclear, although the team has been quite optimistic about his availability. Nevertheless, fantasy managers will want to monitor his participation levels in practice leading up to Week 1. Managers should also monitor the Raiders' roster moves. They only have three running backs on their roster right now, so if they sign or claim another one, it could be a sign that Jeanty might not be ready to go. If he does suit up for the season opener, he'll rank as a strong RB1 option against a Miami Dolphins team that has plenty of question marks on both sides of the ball.
Source: Sam Warren
Source: Sam Warren
Raiders "Counting on" Ashton Jeanty for Season Opener
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said the team is still monitoring running back Ashton Jeanty's (ankle) status heading into the Week 1 regular-season opener, "but we're counting on him," according to Levi Edwards of the team's official website. Jeanty initially could not put any weight on his leg last Sunday when he was injured in training camp practice. It is unclear exactly how serious the second-year RB's injury is, but the Raiders continue to hold out hope that he will be available for the season opener in early September against the Miami Dolphins. Even if Jeanty is active in Week 1, rookie Mike Washington Jr. figures to have a big role in Vegas' backfield to take some of the load off Jeanty. We will have a better idea of Jeanty's Week 1 status when the Raiders release their first official injury reports late next week. Jeanty is the team's clear RB1 when healthy, but his recent ankle injury should give fantasy managers pause when considering him as a low-end RB1 in upcoming drafts. As a rookie in 2025, the 22-year-old from Boise State finished as the RB13 in half-PPR scoring with 975 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 266 carries, adding 346 receiving yards and another five scores on 55 receptions in 17 games.
Source: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards
Source: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards
Mike Washington Jr. Could Have Significant Role in Raiders Backfield
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. appears to have earned a real role alongside Ashton Jeanty (ankle). Head coach Klint Kubiak said Friday that both backs will prepare to "play a lot of football" when Jeanty is healthy, according to Sam Warren. Kubiak also made it clear that the workload could change from game to game. Washington has made a strong case for touches after rushing 23 times for 168 yards during the preseason, including 49 yards on eight carries in Thursday's finale against San Francisco. The fourth-round rookie also flashed as a receiver during camp and sits directly behind Jeanty on the Raiders' latest unofficial depth chart. Washington rushed for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns at Arkansas last season while adding 28 catches for 226 yards and another score. Jeanty is still the lead back when healthy, but Kubiak's comments suggest Washington should have a role even without an injury opening the door.
Source: Sam Warren
Source: Sam Warren
Mike Washington Jr. Emerging as Priority Late-Round Sleeper
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr., who could see starting action to begin the year if Ashton Jeanty (ankle) is unavailable for the season opener, ran for 49 yards on eight carries in Thursday night's preseason loss to the 49ers. The fourth-round pick, who was one of the stars of the 2026 NFL Combine, concludes his first preseason with 168 yards on 23 attempts for a 7.3 -yard per carry average. After an offseason spent espousing the value of a two-back system, head coach Klint Kubiak appears to have found a player capable of platooning with Jeanty, giving Washington potential standalone value outside of what he can provide as an injury fill-in. With Jeanty's status for Week 1 still up in the air, and the Raiders backfield deployment somewhat of a mystery in Kubiak's first year at the helm, Washington is a must-draft player as RotoBaller's RB48.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Klint Kubiak Praises Mike Washington Jr.
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. has earned the praise of head coach Klint Kubiak ahead of the 2026 season. "He's done a great job of growing up real fast," Kubiak told Levi Edwards of the team's official website. "He's a guy that understands we're counting on him. He's maturing really fast." Washington is a fourth-round pick out of Arkansas, and while he was initially drafted to be a backup, he could step into a larger role right away if Ashton Jeanty (ankle) isn't ready to play in Week 1. Jeanty recently suffered a low-ankle sprain that could sideline him for a couple of weeks, so there's a real chance that we see Washington draw the start during the season opener against the Dolphins on Sept. 13. Washington may be a rookie, but Kubiak's comments suggest that he's ready for a big role. He currently ranks as the RB48 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for 2026.
Source: Levi Edwards
Source: Levi Edwards
Klint Kubiak Says Ashton Jeanty is "on the Mend"
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said on Tuesday that he is "not going to get into injuries," but he also said that running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) is "on the mend," according to Vincent Bonsignore of The California Post. Jeanty caused a stir among the fantasy football community when he injured his right ankle in training camp practice on Sunday and could not put any weight on his leg. Fortunately, the Raiders have reported that the 22-year-old second-year back is dealing with more of a low-ankle sprain than a high-ankle sprain, and they are optimistic that he will be able to suit up for Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins in early September. Jeanty will not be playing in Thursday's preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers, and we will be keeping a close eye on his status as Week 1 approaches. There is still a chance that he might be questionable to play against the Dolphins to kick off the season or be limited if he is active, but we should have a better idea on that in the coming weeks. In a worst-case scenario in which Jeanty does not play in Week 1, rookie Mike Washington Jr. could see most of the backfield touches for the Raiders. Despite Jeanty's ankle injury, the Boise State product should remain a firm RB2 target in upcoming fantasy football drafts.
Source: The California Post - Vincent Bonsignore
Source: The California Post - Vincent Bonsignore
Mike Washington Jr. Impresses While Working with First-Team Offense
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. saw his most extensive action working with the first-team offense on Monday, filling in for Ashton Jeanty (ankle), who left Sunday's practice in dramatic fashion with an ankle injury. Following up his impressive performance in Thursday's preseason win over the Texans, Washington continued to make noise, hauling in a touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins during a red zone period and earning the praise of his offensive coordinator. "He works very hard every day," Andrew Janocko told the media. "He's on his craft all the time, and it's something that you see translate into the practice field. It's something that we keep pushing him [on] every single day." Washington's 7.9 yards per attempt across two preseason games leads all players with double-digit carries, and with Jeanty's unclear injury timeline providing the rookie with the potential to see starting work early in the year, he is a must-roster player coming out of 2026 drafts.
Source: Levi Edwards
Source: Levi Edwards
Ashton Jeanty Not Believed to Have a Serious Injury, Uncertain for Week 1
Las Vegas running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) suffered what many feared was a serious injury on Sunday in practice, but the team received positive news over the last few days about his status. According to the latest updates from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Jeanty's ankle injury is more of a low sprain than a high ankle sprain and is not considered to be a major injury. Despite the positive overall news, there is still a real chance Jeanty will not play in Week 1 against the Dolphins. The fact that he has any chance to play in Week 1 is a great sign for his fantasy managers, and even if he misses that game, he isn't expected to be out long-term or miss the entire season, as was initially feared. If Jeanty is sidelined for that contest, Mike Washington Jr. and Dylan Laube would likely split the workload, with Washington bringing significant sleeper potential after his promising preseason. This is definitely a situation to watch closely leading up to the season opener, but for now, Jeanty remains one of the highest-upside running backs available in fantasy drafts. In PPR leagues, he's the RB17 in RotoBaller's rankings, but for standard-sized leagues, he's a strong RB2 with RB1 upside if this injury proves to be just a preseason scare.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Ashton Jeanty Sits Out Monday's Practice
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) did not participate in Monday's training camp practice, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Jeanty was injured in practice on Sunday and was unable to put pressure on his right leg, but ESPN reported late Sunday evening that the second-year back is only dealing with a sprained ankle. He could miss some time, but barring a setback, Jeanty could still be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September. With Jeanty sidelined for a bit with his ankle sprain, rookie fourth-rounder Mike Washington Jr. will get more run with the first-team offense as he looks to solidify the RB2 role heading into his first year in the NFL. Jeanty ran for 975 yards and five rushing touchdowns on 266 carries in 2025 after the Raiders selected him with the sixth overall pick out of Boise State. The 22-year-old added 55 catches for 346 yards and five more TDs as a receiver in 17 starts to finish as the RB13 in half-PPR scoring. The Raiders figure to have more upside on offense with better QB play in 2026, making Jeanty a strong RB2 target with upside as he heads into Year 2.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
