Raiders second-year star Ashton Jeanty limps off practice with suspected ankle sprain

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty was helped off the practice field on Sunday after landing awkwardly during 11-on-11 drills, raising early questions about the depth of the team’s offensive backfield. The second-year player was unable to bear weight on his right leg as trainers assisted him from the field, prompting a moment of silence from his teammates before the session concluded.

According to reports from ESPN, Jeanty is believed to have suffered a sprained ankle, although the Raiders did not immediately provide an official diagnosis or a specific timeline for his return. The incident occurred while Jeanty was diving for a pass thrown by quarterback Kirk Cousins, an action that resulted in the awkward landing that forced his early departure.

The injury is not currently considered long-term, but the uncertainty surrounding Jeanty’s availability has shifted the focus to the team’s backup options. Throughout the day, Jeanty had been splitting reps with rookie running back Mike Washington Jr., who is now presumed to take over the first-team workload while the veteran is sidelined.

Washington Jr. has demonstrated strong form during the preseason, providing a credible alternative for the Raiders. In his first preseason action against the Arizona Cardinals, the rookie ran six times for 63 yards, including a 53-yard run, while also contributing to the passing game. He followed that performance with a game against the Houston Texans, where he carried the ball nine times for 56 yards and added two catches for 18 yards.

Jeanty enters this period coming off a quality rookie season in Las Vegas, where he recorded over 1,300 total yards and 10 scores. His absence would leave Dare Ogunbowale as the next leading rusher on the roster, with 594 career rushing yards and 850 career receiving yards to his name.

For the Raiders, the immediate priority is monitoring Jeanty’s recovery to determine if he will be available for the upcoming schedule. While the team appears to have a dependable replacement in Washington Jr., the loss of Jeanty’s production could impact the offensive structure during the critical final weeks of training camp.