The injury bug has found Ashton Jeanty. With just three weeks before the regular season begins, Jeanty suffered an injury during Las Vegas Raiders practice on Sunday, Aug. 23, delivering concerning news for the franchise heading into the start of the NFL season.
Jeanty was helped off the field by trainers and could not put any weight on his right leg, according to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden. The incident occurred after he dived for a catch and landed awkwardly.
However, according to Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter, the setback is not considered a long-term injury. Jeanty is believed to have sprained his ankle. While Las Vegas is still unsure how long he will be out, it is not considered a long-term injury, and the organization is breathing a sigh of relief.
A significant blow for the Raiders
Jeanty handled a heavy workload for the Raiders as a rookie after being selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Boise State product recorded 266 carries for 975 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while adding 55 receptions for 346 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.
Ashton Jeanty #2 of the Las Vegas Raiders.
While Jeanty accumulated 1,321 scrimmage yards, he was not particularly efficient between the tackles, as his 3.7 yards per carry ranked 44th league-wide among 49 qualifying running backs. His struggles stemmed in part from an offensive line that allowed him an average of just 1.6 yards before contact per carry, the third-worst mark in the NFL.
Jeanty currently sits as the top running back on the Las Vegas depth chart among five options. According to the squad’s unofficial depth chart, the organization has options to maintain a replacement, though matching his production will likely prove difficult.
- Ashton Jeanty
- Mike Washington Jr.
- Dylan Laube
- Roman Hemby
- Dare Ogunbowale
Who is Ashton Jeanty’s backup?
Mike Washington Jr. is currently listed as the backup to Ashton Jeanty. The Raiders selected the rookie in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft after he rushed for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns on 167 carries during his lone season at Arkansas.
Washington has logged 15 carries for 119 yards across two preseason games thus far. The 6-foot-2, 228-pound running back has also added two catches for 18 yards while solidifying his position as the top option behind Jeanty.
