Ashton Jeanty injury concerns have suddenly become one of the biggest stories surrounding the Las Vegas Raiders, after the second-year running back suffered what is believed to be a sprained ankle during Sunday’s practice in Henderson, Nevada.
The injury initially looked far more alarming. Jeanty went down while attempting to catch a pass, landed awkwardly and was unable to put weight on his right leg as trainers helped him from the field. His teammates gathered and knelt in prayer, reflecting the concern inside the Raiders’ practice facility.
The latest reports, however, suggest Las Vegas may have avoided the worst-case scenario.
Jeanty Suffers Scare During Practice
Jeanty’s injury occurred during an 11-on-11 portion of practice when he dove for a pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins.
The running back landed awkwardly and remained on the ground before medical personnel assisted him away from the field.
At first, there was no official diagnosis from the Raiders, leaving the team and its supporters waiting for more information.
Reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport later indicated that Jeanty is believed to have suffered an ankle sprain. The injury is reportedly not considered long-term, although his exact recovery timetable remains unclear.
That distinction is important with the regular season approaching.
Raiders Have Reason to Be Cautious
The Raiders selected Jeanty with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, making him one of the central pieces of their offensive future.
He delivered an impressive rookie campaign, rushing for 975 yards and five touchdowns while adding 55 receptions for 346 yards and another five receiving touchdowns. Overall, he produced 1,321 scrimmage yards and 10 total touchdowns.
Those numbers help explain why Sunday’s injury immediately generated concern.
Las Vegas is counting on Jeanty to play a major role in its offense during the upcoming season.
Losing him for an extended period would therefore force the Raiders to make significant adjustments.
Rookie Mike Washington Jr. Could See More Work
The Raiders do have an intriguing option behind Jeanty.
Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. has impressed during the preseason and training camp.
Washington has already shown big-play ability. He recorded 15 carries for 119 yards during the preseason, according to NFL.com, and has received opportunities with the first-team offense during practice.
His emergence provides Las Vegas with some insurance.
If Jeanty is forced to miss time, Washington could move into a much larger role.
The Raiders also have Dylan Laube, Roman Hemby and veteran Dare Ogunbowale available at running back.
Timing Creates Another Concern
The biggest question surrounding the Ashton Jeanty injury is not simply whether he will miss practice.
It is whether the ankle problem affects his availability for the opening weeks of the regular season.
The Raiders are approaching the final stages of the preseason, leaving limited time for Jeanty to recover and return to full-speed football activities.
An ankle sprain can vary significantly in severity, meaning the Raiders will likely prioritize his health rather than rush him back.
For a player expected to be central to the offense, avoiding a setback could be more important than getting him onto the field immediately.
Raiders Already Managed His Preseason Workload
Las Vegas had been cautious with Jeanty during preseason games.
He played only briefly against the Arizona Cardinals, carrying the ball three times for 16 yards.
He did not play in the Raiders’ second preseason game against the Houston Texans.
That limited workload makes Sunday’s practice injury particularly frustrating.
The Raiders had been attempting to protect important players before the regular season.
Now they must determine how much practice work Jeanty can safely handle during his recovery.
The Offensive Plan Could Change
Jeanty’s importance extends beyond his rushing ability.
He is also a significant part of the passing game.
His 55 receptions as a rookie demonstrated his value as a receiving option, giving the Raiders another way to create mismatches against opposing defenses.
If Jeanty misses time, the Raiders could adjust their offensive approach.
Washington could receive more carries, while other backs could handle specialized situations.
The coaching staff may also rely more heavily on the passing game.
One Injury Can Change a Team’s Preparation
Training camp is designed to prepare teams for the physical demands of the regular season.
But injuries remain one of the unavoidable risks.
For the Raiders, Sunday’s incident came at an especially important moment.
The team is preparing for its final preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers before turning its attention toward the regular season.
Every practice rep now carries additional significance.
The coaching staff must balance preparation with protecting players who are expected to make major contributions.
Raiders Fans Await the Next Update
The positive news is that current reports do not indicate a long-term injury.
But the exact timeline remains uncertain.
That means the Raiders and their fans will continue watching Jeanty’s recovery closely over the coming days.
The organization has not publicly announced a definitive return date, and the severity of the sprain will determine how quickly he can resume football activities.
The Bigger Picture for Las Vegas
The Ashton Jeanty injury serves as an early reminder of how quickly preseason optimism can change.
Jeanty entered his second NFL season with expectations to build on a productive rookie year and become an even bigger part of the Raiders’ offense.
A significant absence would be a setback.
But the early indication that the injury is not considered long-term gives Las Vegas reason for cautious optimism.
For now, the priority is clear: allow Jeanty’s ankle to heal while giving the coaching staff enough time to evaluate whether Washington and the rest of the running-back group are ready for expanded responsibilities.
The Raiders’ season has not started yet, but one of their most important players is already at the center of a major question.
The coming days should provide a clearer answer about when Ashton Jeanty can return—and how much time, if any, he will ultimately miss.
Source angle: NFL, Reuters and Associated Press reporting on Ashton Jeanty’s practice injury, the reported ankle sprain, his 2025 rookie production and the Raiders’ running-back depth entering the 2026 regular season.
