The Las Vegas Raiders got more information about running back Ashton Jeanty after yesterday's serious injury.
The Las Vegas Raiders got some mostly good news about running back Ashton Jeanty, who left practice yesterday after diving for a pass and sustaining what looked like a serious leg injury.
The updated report from Sam Warren of The Athletic and multiple other outlets has Jeanty with an ankle sprain, which is much better than all the other possibilities. The Raiders aren’t sure how long Warren will be out, per Warren, but its believed that they’ve avoided a long-term injury with the running back they took with the No. 6 pick in the draft last year.
The injury occurred during a route Jeanty ran during the team period as he dove for a pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins that was low. Jeanty went down awkwardly, Warren noted, and he quickly got medical attention. The ominous part had him unable to put weight on his right leg as he left the field with the help of trainers, and the Raiders took a moment to take a knee and offer a silent prayer.
Jeanty has been the subject of much speculation and conjecture during the offseason and the preseason, as he struggled mightily last year behind a wretched offensive line that simply couldn’t open holes for him.
He still led all rookie running backs with 975 yards on 266 carries, and new coach Klint Kubiak has been hoping to up his mediocre yards-per-carry number while continuing to use Jeanty’s unique skill set as a receiver.
“I think just to take a step forward in each and every facet of the game,” Jeanty said July 30 of his goals for the year. “I wouldn’t say so much stats-wise, but I think if I just continue to get better, then all those things will come.”
This year’s rookie running back, Mike Washington Jr., has been stepping up admirably in the preseason, as the Raiders drafted him to complement Jeanty and perhaps lighten his workload to keek Jeanty fresh.
Washington was selected in the fourth round, and so far he’s had 119 yards on 15 carries, including a 53-yard run against the Arizona Cardinals and a 33-yard rush against the Houston Texans.
“I see a very talented young man with a bright future ahead of him that’s extremely humble and hardworking,” Kubiak said of Washington after the Texans game. “If he just keeps that mindset, he’ll keep getting better.”
The Raiders need to get a lot better, and it will be interesting to see if Jeanty’s situation forces them to make a move when more detailed reports emerge. The depth options atthe moment include third-year back Dylan Laube, veteran free-agent addition Dare Ogunbowale and undrafted free agent Roman Hemby.
