Why Raiders are built to withstand any Ashton Jeanty injury absence

The Las Vegas Raiders got quite the injury scare on Sunday. Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty left practice with a lower body injury. The situation immediately looked serious, as Jeanty could not put pressure on his leg while leaving the field. To make matters worse, the Raiders gathered together as a team to acknowledge Jeanty’s injury with a moment together.

Fortunately, the Jeanty injury is not as serious as previously feared. Jeanty is believed to have a sprained ankle, though Vegas does not know how long he will be out of action. Still, it is great news that Jeanty did not suffer a season-ending injury just before the regular season.

This whole saga forced Vegas to come to terms with what it would mean to lose Jeanty for an extended period of time.

Would the Raiders immediately become a terrible offense without Jeanty? Or do they now have enough talent to sustain themselves even without one of their best offensive weapons?

The Raiders can lucky enough to have a talented rookie running back who can keep them afloat in the event of a major injury.

Mike Washington Jr. can hold down the fort while Ashton Jeanty gets healthy

Las Vegas already has a great backup option on the roster. If Jeanty needs more time to rest, the Raiders can rely on rookie Mike Washington Jr. to shoulder the load.

The Raiders selected Washington in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Washington boasts an impressive blend of size (6-foot-1, 223 pounds) and speed (4.33-second 40-yard dash at the Combine). He also has fairly soft hands and has always been a part of the receiving game during his collegiate career.

Simply put, Washington can do it all.

Washington has already impressed the coaching staff after his dominant start to the preseason. He ripped off six carries for 63 rushing yards (including a 53-yard run) against the Cardinals on August 13th. The rookie followed that up with nine carries for 56 rushing yards (this time with a 33-yard run) against the Texans on August 20th.

Washington’s ability to generate explosive runs should have Raiders fans excited. Whenever Jeanty needs to take a few plays off, the Raiders still have a dangerous running back on the bench who can take his place. It also suggests that Washington can handle a significant role early in the season while Jeanty rehabs his ankle injury.

Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak sounded pleased with his rookie running back after that Texans game.

“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.”

Vegas also has Dylan Laube and veteran Dare Ogunbowale on the roster. Neither player should challenge Washington for the Week 1 starting job if Jeanty is unable to play.

It will be exciting to see what Washington can accomplish during his rookie season this fall.

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