Nov 8, 2026, 9:45 PM ET

It was a tough day, to say the least, for Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. in a 38-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 9. The rookie tailback recorded six carries and totaled minus-three yards on the day, and he was not targeted in the passing game. The Raiders were playing from behind for most of the contest and likely had to abandon the running game fairly early. This bust of a performance comes one week after Washington set career highs in rushing attempts (25), rushing yards (83) and offensive snaps played (38) in a win over the New York Jets in Week 8. In the lopsided loss to the 49ers, Washington was out-snapped by fellow running back Ashton Jeanty, 32 to 17. Washington will likely continue to play a role for the Raiders, and he will certainly have better games, but with the volatility in usage, he is a bit hard to trust as a regular fantasy football starter.--Ryan O'Bleness
Source: NFL.com

Nov 8, 2026, 8:55 PM ET

The poor 2026 campaign continues for Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty. He rushed six times for 25 yards (4.2 yards per carry) and caught five passes for a total of minus-five yards in a Week 9 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The lack of rushing attempts likely had to do with the Raiders playing behind for most of the game, with the 49ers up 21-10 at halftime and then 28-10 to begin the third quarter after quarterback Kirk Cousins fumbled and San Francisco returned it for a touchdown. The positive for Jeanty is that he led Las Vegas' backfield in offensive snaps played with 32, while Mike Washington Jr. played just 17. In a Week 8 win over the New York Jets, Washington out-snapped Jeanty 38 to 25. Jeanty has been highly inefficient in 2026. Through nine games, Jeanty has rushed 114 times for 362 yards (3.2 yards per carry) and one touchdown, while adding 42 receptions for 371 yards (8.8 yards per catch) and three more touchdowns.--Ryan O'Bleness
Source: NFL.com

Nov 7, 2026, 6:31 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (illness) has been added to the injury report ahead of Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com. It's important to note that Laube doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game, so he will play, barring a setback. Laube made some waves last week with a special teams touchdown, but he's not a reliable offensive contributor with just five carries, nine rushing yards, four catches, and 15 receiving yards this season. The Raiders did indicate that they want to get Laube some more opportunities out of the backfield going forward, but as long as he finds himself behind Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr. on the depth chart, he'll remain off the fantasy football radar.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Ryan McFadden

Nov 7, 2026, 12:58 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. should be a priority addition for fantasy football managers entering Week 9. Washington maintained a steady role through the first half of the season, and his volume took off last week against the Jets, as he tallied 25 carries for 83 rushing yards on a 60% snap share. While we do expect his volume to cool down a little bit going forward, he should still maintain a sizable role alongside Ashton Jeanty. He is no longer just a handcuff, but also has some standalone value as a potential RB3/flex in deeper leagues. The rookie lacks pass-catching upside, but he is a particularly impressive runner who should earn more goal-line opportunities going forward. Washington remains available in 53% of redraft leagues, giving fantasy managers an opportunity to pick up a potential RB3/flex midseason.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Nov 6, 2026, 7:11 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. is expected to get plenty of work in Week 9, but it will be an uphill battle against a San Francisco 49ers defense that has excelled at squashing the run game. The rookie is coming off his biggest game of the season, leading the run game with 25 carries for 83 yards in a Week 8 win against the New York Jets. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak hasn't specified whether Washington will have a bigger workload than Ashton Jeanty again in Week 9. Regardless, both backs will likely be stymied against a 49ers defense that is allowing just 89 rushing yards per game, and held Falcons star back Bijan Robinson to 63 yards their last time out. The tough matchup and continued tandem workload with Jeanty signal to fantasy managers that Washington should only be used as a flex option in Week 9.--Chelena Goldman
Source: StatMuse

Nov 6, 2026, 7:10 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty has stayed relevant in fantasy leagues because of his hybrid workload, but how will that play out against a stingy 49ers defense in Week 9? The 22-year-old had just two carries for nine yards against the New York Jets as Mike Washington Jr. took on a heavier workload, though Jeanty also caught three of four targets for 64 receiving yards in the Week 8 win. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak wouldn't specify whether Jeanty will have a heavier workload in Week 9, which makes his value uncertain against a formidable opponent. The 49ers defense ranks fifth overall against the run (89 YPG allowed), and pressure on Kirk Cousins to throw the ball will increase since Nick Bosa (calf) has been cleared to play. RotoBaller lists Jeanty as RB25 in the positional ranking, and he is a low-end RB2 in 12-plus-team leagues only given the difficult Week 9 matchup.--Chelena Goldman
Source: Sam Warren via X.com

Nov 6, 2026, 3:22 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty has no assurance of a larger rushing workload for Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Asked Friday whether Jeanty would receive more carries after his limited involvement last week, head coach Klint Kubiak said he expects Jeanty, Mike Washington Jr. and Dylan Laube all to play, according to Sam Warren. Washington handled 25 carries for 83 yards against the New York Jets, while Jeanty rushed twice for nine yards and caught three passes for 64 yards. Jeanty's rushing workload has steadily declined from 23 carries in Week 1 to just two in Week 8, although he continues to excel as a receiver. His 37 receptions and 376 receiving yards lead all NFL running backs, helping preserve his value in PPR formats. Kubiak has described the backfield distribution as a week-to-week decision, leaving Jeanty in low-end RB2 territory with considerable uncertainty surrounding his rushing opportunities.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Sam Warren

Nov 4, 2026, 7:54 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said he "absolutely" believes that running back Ashton Jeanty can still be a bell-cow RB in the NFL, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. "Ashton's a young player and has a really bright future ahead. Glad we have him and all these young players on our roster that are continuing to grow. And it's our job as coaches to develop them," Kubiak said. Jeanty is averaging a paltry 3.1 yards per carry on 108 rushing attempts for 337 yards and one touchdown on the ground in the first eight games of his second season in the league. The former sixth overall pick from Boise State has been much more efficient as a pass-catcher, catching 37 of his 48 targets for 376 yards (10.2 yards per reception) and three touchdowns through the air. With Vegas' ground game going nowhere, they switched things up in the Week 8 win over the New York Jets. Jeanty played a season-low 40% of the offensive snaps and had only two carries for nine yards, while rookie Mike Washington Jr. had a season-high 60% snap share while handling 25 carries for 83 yards. Kubiak said the backfield touch distribution will vary from week to week, although it seems like the 22-year-old Jeanty is shifting away from early-down work for more pass-catching duties on third downs. It's a frustrating development for his fantasy managers, but at the very least, Jeanty should be in the low-end RB2 range in PPR leagues in Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden

Nov 4, 2026, 5:42 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. is not guaranteed to remain the team's primary rusher, as head coach Klint Kubiak said Wednesday that the distribution of carries between Washington and Ashton Jeanty will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis, according to Ryan McFadden. Washington handled a career-high 25 carries for 83 yards in Sunday's Week 8 victory over the New York Jets, playing 38 snaps compared to Jeanty's 22. Kubiak previously credited Washington's development and practice performance for his increased opportunities. Jeanty was limited to two carries for nine yards but caught three passes for 64 yards, while Washington wasn't targeted. The rookie remains a priority waiver addition following his expanded rushing role, particularly in standard-scoring leagues. However, his limited receiving involvement and Kubiak's willingness to adjust the backfield rotation could make his weekly fantasy production unpredictable.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Ryan McFadden

Nov 3, 2026, 10:42 AM ET

Las Vegas Raiders former first-round running back Ashton Jeanty averaged just over 3.0 yards per carry in the first seven games of the season, so the Raiders changed things up in their Week 8 win over the New York Jets, with rookie Mike Washington Jr. outsnapping Jeanty 60% to 40% and out-carrying him 25 to two. Jeanty saw more time as the third-down back and had a key 45-yard catch. When asked about the playing-time shift in the backfield on Monday, head coach Klint Kubiak said it was not a permanent arrangement. "I think it's always a moving target," Kubiak said. "You see where your team is at and who's playing the best ball at the time. It's a 17-game regular season where things change every week." Washington had 83 yards on 25 carries, so it wasn't a major change in terms of success on the ground for the Raiders. The bottom line is that Vegas has been one of the worst at running the football in 2026, and Jeanty could be in danger of losing the early-down role permanently. The good news for his fantasy managers is that if Week 8's backfield setup becomes more of the norm, he should at least retain value as a PPR flex option. Washington, meanwhile, deserves plenty of waiver-wire attention this week.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Pro Football Talk - Josh Alper

Nov 2, 2026, 9:32 AM ET

Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. was the team's workhorse in Week 8, while Ashton Jeanty was a non-factor on early downs. Washington had 25 carries for 83 yards, while Jeanty managed just two carries for nine yards but added three receptions for 64 yards in the 38-33 win over the New York Jets. Regarding Jeanty's limited role, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said it was "my call, and he's still going to be a big part of our team." Jeanty made comments during the week, saying the Jets have players who don't want to tackle, but Kubiak said those comments had nothing to do with his limited workload. Washington was productive, and if he becomes the lead rusher for the Raiders, he should be rostered in all formats moving forward.--Nathan Harvey
Source: ESPN

Nov 1, 2026, 7:02 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. saw his workload surge during Sunday's game against the New York Jets. Coming into this game, Washington has primarily been the backup with fewer than 10 carries in every game. That changed on Sunday when Washington carried the ball 25 times for 83 yards in the win over the Jets. Lead back Ashton Jeanty only saw two rushing attempts during this game, which could be a concern for fantasy managers. Head coach Klint Kubiak said after the game that the reduced workload for Jeanty was by design. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Washington to get 25 carries every week, but he has probably earned a bigger role in the backfield going forward. He could be a flex option for the upcoming Week 9 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.--Andy Webb
Source: ESPN

Nov 1, 2026, 6:22 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty was informed before Sunday's Week 8 victory over the New York Jets that he would receive fewer carries, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed the decision was his after Jeanty finished with just two carries for nine yards, while rookie Mike Washington Jr. handled 25 attempts for 83 yards. Jeanty remained involved in the passing game, catching three of four targets for 64 yards, including a 45-yard reception that helped set up Las Vegas' go-ahead touchdown. Kubiak also clarified that Jeanty's comments earlier in the week about Jets defenders not wanting to tackle played no part in the decision. Despite the significant reduction in rushing opportunities, Kubiak maintained that Jeanty would remain a major part of the Raiders' offense moving forward.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Ryan McFadden

Nov 1, 2026, 4:35 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty saw his rushing role virtually disappear in Sunday's 38-33 victory over the New York Jets, receiving just two carries for nine yards while rookie Mike Washington Jr. handled 25 attempts for 83 yards. Washington received all six of the Raiders' first-quarter carries, and Jeanty did not record his first rushing attempt until late in the second quarter. Jeanty managed to salvage some fantasy production with three receptions for 64 yards on four targets, including a 45-yard catch, but the drastic reduction in rushing opportunities is concerning. He entered Sunday averaging just 3.1 yards per carry, although he had received at least eight rushing attempts in each of his first seven games this season. Las Vegas has not confirmed whether Washington's expanded role represents a permanent change, leaving Jeanty's workload heading into Week 9 uncertain. His receiving ability remains valuable in PPR formats, but Sunday's backfield split raises legitimate questions about his previously established fantasy value.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller