The Las Vegas Raiders got a jolt they did not want on Sunday afternoon when Ashton Jeanty reportedly exited practice with an apparent knee injury.
ESPN’s Ryan McFadden reported that the running back “left practice early after suffering an apparent knee injury.” McFadden added: “During the team period, he was diving for a catch and landed awkwardly.
He was helped off the field by trainers and couldn’t put any pressure on his right leg. Entire team took a knee and said a prayer.”
For now, the exact nature and severity of the injury remain unknown. The Raiders did not issue an immediate statement.
The timing makes the situation especially unsettling. Las Vegas had just beaten the Houston Texans in a preseason game and then returned to the practice field for the first time, only to see one of its top players go down. Practice stopping the way it did suggests this was far more than a routine bump or bruise.
Jeanty had been positioned for a big year after producing solid numbers as a rookie despite a rough offensive environment. That possibility is on hold until there is more clarity on his health.
If Jeanty is sidelined, even briefly, the Raiders could be forced to lean on fourth-round rookie Mike Washington Jr., who was already pushing for reps and a larger role. If the absence stretches longer, the pressure on a first-year Day 3 pick would grow quickly.
There’s also the chance Las Vegas has to look outside the building. With the veteran market thin, John Spytek may have to check the waiver wire or explore low-risk trades before the season.
For now, the only thing anyone can do is wait and hope the injury does not end up being as serious as it looked.
In Other News...
Raiders Roster Bubble Is Getting Tough To Ignore After McCollums Push
The Raiders brought in Tristin McCollum off waivers before the 2025 season to help shore up the back end of the secondary, and he has spent this preseason making the kind of quiet case that tends to matter in late August. He has handled multiple jobs on defense and special teams, and in the game against the Houston Texans he showed up all over the field while finishing with the team-high tackle total.
For a roster bubble that is already starting to get tight, that kind of versatility is hard to overlook. McCollum has not only given Las Vegas a useful depth option, he has also made it difficult to imagine the Raiders parting with him when they start trimming down to the 53-man roster again. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Camp Battle Could Decide Whether This Secondary Finally Improves
The Raiders spent the offseason trying to fix a pass defense that needed help, bringing back Eric Stokes and then adding four defensive backs in the 2026 NFL Draft. Now the focus has shifted to training camp, where the clearest battle is at cornerback and the winner could help determine whether the secondary finally takes a real step forward.
Darien Porter, entering his second season, is trying to hold off rookie Jermod McCoy for a starting spot next to Stokes. McCoy comes in with a little extra uncertainty after pre-draft knee injuries, so this competition is about more than just pedigree or draft status. For Las Vegas, it is also one of the most important jobs on the roster, because the answer there will go a long way toward showing whether the offseason changes were enough. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Camp Suddenly Has A Major Ashton Jeanty Concern
Ashton Jeantys role was supposed to be one of the bigger storylines in Raiders camp, with the rookie running back expected to fit prominently into the offense. Instead, a practice rep in coverage turned into an uncomfortable sight for Las Vegas when Jeanty went down while trying to catch a pass and had to leave the field.
Jeanty appeared unable to put pressure on his right leg as he exited, and the Raiders have not provided any further information since. For a team that had counted on him to be a central piece of the plan, the concern is less about one drill than about how quickly a promising camp storyline can change. [Read more 🡒]