Ashton Jeanty’s Sunday against the Jets was a strange one on the surface and, according to Raiders coach Klint Kubiak, not a punishment at all.
Jeanty, the former Boise State star, had stirred things up earlier in the week when he said the Jets have “a couple of guys out there that don’t really want to tackle, but I’m not going to say names.”
Then came the game: just two carries for nine yards in Las Vegas’ 38-33 road win. That was a career low for Jeanty on the ground, even though he still made an impact as a receiver with three catches for 64 yards, highlighted by a 45-yard gain.
The workload shifted heavily toward rookie Mike Washington Jr., who handled a career-high 25 carries and turned them into 83 yards.
Kubiak made it clear Monday that the distribution was about the flow of the game, not Jeanty’s comments.
“I stand by what I said (on Sunday) that we’re going to need Mike, we’re going to need Ashton, we’re going to need Dylan (Laube),” Kubiak said on Monday. “They’re all part of our success, run and pass.
Ashton made huge plays for us in the pass game. He was phenomenal in protection like he’s always been.
The way the game went yesterday, Mike got more carries. Going forward, we’re going to be counting on all three of those guys.”
Jeanty’s season numbers show a back who has been more productive through the air than on the ground. He’s averaging 3.1 yards per carry with 337 rushing yards and a touchdown on 108 attempts, while also piling up 37 catches on 49 targets for 376 yards and three scores.
Elsewhere in Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season, several other former Boise State players also saw action.
Bates added a tackle as the Commanders rolled past the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10 on Sunday Night Football. Casey stayed a healthy scratch for the eighth straight game as the Broncos rallied late to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 28-24. Cleveland started at left guard in a 42-7 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Hassanein was inactive again in Detroit’s 19-15 win over the previously undefeated Minnesota Vikings. Holani logged six kickoff returns, with a long of 34 yards, and added one carry for nine yards in the Chicago Bears’ 34-17 Monday Night Football loss. Lawrence forced and recovered a fumble and finished with three total tackles in that same game.
Matlock did not record any stats in a 24-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. McNichols posted five carries for 21 yards and one catch for seven yards in the Commanders’ win over the Eagles.
Shakir hauled in six passes for 64 yards in Baltimore’s 36-10 loss to the Ravens. Skinner finished with two total tackles in the Chiefs’ loss to the Broncos.
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The bigger question for Boise State is under center, where Maddux Madsen may be unavailable for the game. If that happens, Max Cutforth would be the next man up after a strong showing in the previous game, giving the Broncos a backup plan as they try to lean on their defense and keep control of a crucial conference test. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Gets Encouraging Maddux Madsen Update Before Colorado State
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Coach Spencer Danielson has sounded optimistic about Madsens recovery, and the team is treating the injury as a day-to-day situation rather than something that could linger. If Madsen is unable to go, Boise State has a ready option behind him, with Max Cutforth prepared to step in and handle the offense. [Read more 🡒]