Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty better watch his back as powerful rookie dominates preseason

The Las Vegas Raiders want Ashton Jeanty to be their bell cow in the backfield, but there’s a good chance they’ll have to find playing time for their rookie. Mike Washington Jr. has put on two good performances in the preseason so far, and it’s hard to overlook what he’s doing.

In their game last week, he finished with 63 yards on six carries. Against the Houston Texans, Washington ran for 56 yards on nine attempts, which also came with a 33-yard run in the first quarter.

Head coach Klint Kubiak seems impressed with what he’s seen from the rookie through the first two games.

“I see a very talented young man with a bright future ahead of him that is extremely humble and hardworking,” Kubiak said via Sam Warren of The Athletic. “So if he just keeps that mindset, it’ll keep you better. He has plenty that he needs to improve on, and he knows that.”

At this point, it feels like Washington has shown enough to earn him time when the regular season arrives, and this might be a best-case scenario for the Raiders. As much as Jeanty could be on the field every down, he’s going to need a break every once in a while. That’s where Washington comes in and does what he does.

Most teams like to do a running back by committee or simply have a backup for their main back, and the Raiders may have found a situation where they’re not overworking Jeanty. What makes it even better is that they found Washington in the sixth round, and it’s almost like he could be a diamond in the rough.

It’ll be interesting to see what the Raiders do during the season as far as their running backs and if Washington will see the field.

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