Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty Suffers Ankle Sprain in Practice
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty suffered what is believed to be a sprained right ankle during practice on Sunday, creating an immediate roster scare three weeks before the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. According to joint reporting by ESPN insider Adam Schefter and NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the second-year back’s injury is not considered long-term, though his exact return timeline remains unknown.
The Practice Incident and Medical Outlook
The injury occurred when Jeanty dove for a pass and collided with cornerback Darien Porter, landing awkwardly on his right leg. The 22-year-old remained on the ground before being helped off the field by team trainers. Jeanty was unable to put any weight on his right leg during his exit, prompting the Raiders team to take a knee in prayer on the practice field.
Despite the visual severity of his departure, Schefter and Rapoport indicated that the injury is believed to be a sprained ankle. First-year head coach Klint Kubiak has not yet released an official team statement regarding the exact recovery period or whether Jeanty will participate in individual drills during the final stretch of the preseason.
Roster Depth and Offensive Scheme Implications
Selected sixth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Jeanty recorded 975 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, and 1,321 total scrimmage yards across 17 starts as a rookie. His 3.7 yards per carry average ranked 45th in the league, yet Kubiak planned to make him the centerpiece of the offensive attack alongside tight end Brock Bowers.
If Jeanty misses regular-season game action, rookie running back Mike Washington Jr., drafted in the fourth round out of Arkansas, is positioned to assume the lead role. Washington has impressed during preseason evaluations. The Las Vegas backfield depth chart also features Dylan Laube, Roman Hemby, veteran Dare Ogunbowale, and fullbacks Connor Heyward and Patrick Gurd.
Kubiak previously deployed a running back duo with Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet with the Seattle Seahawks. The anticipated pairing of Jeanty and Washington was designed to replicate that dynamic workload distribution.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.