The Las Vegas Raiders got the news they were hoping for on Ashton Jeanty’s ankle, but that doesn’t mean the questions have stopped.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the sprain is not severe, though there is still a real chance Jeanty could miss Week 1 as the regular season gets closer. That came after the initial scare at Sunday’s practice, when the team learned through diagnostic tests that the star running back had avoided a season-ending injury.
What happens next is still up in the air, including whether Jeanty could wind up on short-term injured reserve to open the year. When Klint Kubiak was asked directly about that possibility and about Jeanty’s recovery timeline, the Raiders head coach shut it down quickly.
Las Vegas Review-Journal beat writer Sam Warren reported Kubiak’s answer from the podium: “I'm not going to talk about injuries. He's on the mend.”
Kubiak then steered the discussion away from medical specifics, crediting prayer for Jeanty’s fortunate outcome and making it clear the team is letting the running back recover without adding pressure or public speculation.
For now, the Raiders are also preparing for the possibility that Jeanty needs more time. The sight of the full roster gathering and taking a knee as he was helped off the field showed how much his absence would matter. Still, the team believes it has enough depth in the backfield to absorb the workload if needed and keep the offense moving until Jeanty is ready to return at full strength.
In Other News...
Raiders Center Just Offered A Telling Read On The QB Battle
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Linderbaum also pointed to the snap exchange as a key part of the test, a reminder that quarterback evaluation in camp goes well beyond arm strength and highlight throws. He singled out Kirk Cousins for his preparation and experience as a standard for Mendoza to chase, a useful comparison as the rookie tries to keep narrowing the gap in a competition that still has plenty of room to unfold. [Read more 🡒]
Tom Brady Just Sent A Loud Message About The Raiders Future
Tom Brady has been making his presence felt in Raiders circles in more ways than one, and his latest move only adds to the intrigue around where Las Vegas is headed. The part-owner recently bought a one-of-one Fernando Mendoza rookie card, complete with Mendozas first NFL autograph from a Topps series, after negotiations that stretched across several weeks and included both cash and an autographed jersey.
What makes the purchase stand out is that Brady clearly sees it as more than a showpiece for a collection. He is treating it as an investment in Mendozas future, with the quarterback viewed by some as a possible target for the Raiders with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a signal that Brady is already thinking a step ahead when it comes to the franchises long-term direction. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Suddenly Have One Big Receiver Problem Before Week 1
The Raiders receiver room took a noticeable hit when they released veteran Noah Brown, and it left the group looking thinner on proven production heading into Week 1. Las Vegas is now leaning more heavily on younger options such as Jalen Nailor, Tre Turner and Jack Bech, a collection that adds intrigue but also underscores how unsettled the depth chart remains.
For a team still searching for a true No. 1 target, that lack of experience could keep the front office active if the right opportunity appears. One name already surfacing in speculation is Jacksonvilles Brian Thomas Jr., whose rookie year showed big-time promise before a less effective second season and the kind of trade buzz that naturally gets attention around the league. [Read more 🡒]