Raiders GM issues Ashton Jeanty injury update as ‘excellent’ rookie emerges to ease workload

Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek has provided an encouraging update on running back Ashton Jeanty.

Jeanty was helped off the practice field, unable to put any weight on his leg during one of the Raiders’ final training camps.

Getty

The 22-year-old is believed to have sprained his ankle while attempting to catch a low pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins.

The injury immediately sparked concerns as to whether he would be on the Raiders’ roster for the Week 1 clash against the Miami Dolphins.

The Raiders did not place Jeanty on the injured reserve to start the season, and he was recently spotted working with trainers.

Addressing the injury scare, Spytek offered a hugely optimistic outlook on Jeanty’s recovery.

NFL Weekly Newsletter - SIGN UP!

talkSPORT is your home for NFL in the UK as we launch our biggest year of coverage yet!

2026 promises to be an epic year for NFL on talkSPORT – and we want you to join us for the ride.

MORE INFO & SIGN-UP HERE!

This season will be our biggest ever with live commentary of 90+ games, including behind-the-scenes access to international games and all three London fixtures, plus bumper coverage of Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium.

Exclusive interviews, hard-hitting opinion, latest front-office drama and top breaking news – all delivered straight to your inbox each week.

“I expect him to be back as quick he can, maybe quicker than some people would expect. When that is, we’ll see,” Spytek said.

“I think he’s in a good spot, and I think he’ll be ready to go when we get him back out there.”

Jeanty, the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, entered the league with high expectations, but endured an up-and-down rookie campaign.

The 2024 Heisman Trophy runner-up had just rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns at Boise State, losing out on the award to Travis Hunter.

In his rookie year, he rushed for nearly 955 yards with five touchdowns, adding a further 346 yards and five scores through the air.

However, he ran behind a struggling offensive line in an offense that was troubled throughout the 3-14 season.

Getty

Getty

Rookie running back could provide competition for Jeanty

Las Vegas only kept three running backs on the active roster, another sign that Jeanty could be back sooner rather than later.

Rookie Mike Washington Jr. and Dylan Laube make up the depth chart, and it’s been the former who has turned heads at practice.

The fourth-round pick, who played for Buffalo, New Mexico State and Arkansas across a five-year college career, has had a strong training camp and was alternating starting reps with Jeanty before he went down.

Washington recorded 15 carries for 119 yards in two preseason games.

He averaged 7.9 yards per carry and had a 53-yard run in the preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals at home.

“I’ll give Coach Kubiak a lot of credit for this one,” Spytek said of Washington.

Getty

“He stood on a table for that kid at the start of Day 3, and this is the perfect scheme fit. We can make this player into a good player. He has what we’re looking for.

“I think we’re all excited about the track that Mike is on, and I think we have an expectation that he’s going to help us win football games this year.”