The Raiders got a welcome sight at practice, and it came at exactly the right time. Ashton Jeanty was back on the field working off to the side with trainers, which at least opens the door for a Week 1 return after the injury had started to linger in the conversation.
“Ashton Jeanty is now out at Raiders practice working off to the side with trainers. First time we’ve seen him in the field since his injury last week.”
That update matters because Jeanty is the engine of this offense. As a rookie, he found the end zone 10 times and piled up 975 rushing yards on 266 carries despite running behind a rough offensive line. The Raiders are counting on him to be the focal point again.
Still, Las Vegas may not be leaning on Jeanty alone. Mike Washington Jr. has forced his way into the discussion, and NBC Sports reported that his camp and preseason work changed how the staff views the running back group.
“Rookie RB Mike Washington ‘has changed the staff’s perspective of the running back room,’ according to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden with some impressive play during training camp and in the preseason,” Denny Carter wrote. “Head coach Klint Kubiak said he’s ‘not making any promises on percentages of play time’ for Washington or Jeanty ahead of the season opener. Jeanty could be a while before he’s ready to take on a true workhorse role in the Vegas backfield.”
Washington also flashed in the preseason finale against the 49ers. He had 49 yards on eight carries, including runs of 13 and 11 yards, and showed enough burst to suggest he can handle a bigger role if needed.
“The Arkansas product had several big gains, including runs of 13 and 11 yards for 49 yards on eight carries (6.1 ypc),” Matt Legros wrote. “He finished runs with purpose, and showed that he’s already ready to be a productive change-of-pace back behind Ashton Jeanty.”
Even with that insurance policy in place, the Raiders are still a team that doesn’t project to light up the scoreboard. So Washington’s role only becomes truly important if Jeanty’s recovery stretches out longer than expected.
If Jeanty is ready to go in Week 1, though, the ingredients are there for a strong second season. The offensive line should be better, and Kubiak brings an offensive-minded approach to the sideline.
In Other News...
Raiders Receiver Room Is Already Facing Pressure Fans Can't Ignore
The Raiders receiver room has barely had time to settle in, and it is already looking thinner than the roster numbers suggest. Las Vegas carried six wideouts on its initial 53-man roster, but none of them has separated himself as a clear top option, and the group took another hit when fourth-round pick Donte Thornton Jr. went on injured reserve and will miss the first four games of the season.
Head coach Klint Kubiak has already voiced concern about how the wide receivers are performing, which only adds to the pressure on a unit that needs answers fast. The team also brought in Cody White on the practice squad for extra depth, a small but telling move that underscores how much uncertainty is sitting in the room as the season gets underway. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders May Have Found What Ashton Jeanty Needed For Year 2
Ashton Jeanty arrived in Las Vegas with the kind of expectations that come with being the No. 6 overall pick, and his first season mostly lived up to the billing. Even with an ankle injury lingering from the preseason, he still led all rookies in rushing yards and showed enough as a receiver to hint at how much more he can be than a straight-ahead runner. With head coach Klint Kubiak planning to lean on him heavily in the offense, the Raiders appear ready to make year 2 a much bigger stage for him.
Mike Washington Jr.s emergence could be just as important for Jeanty as the workload Kubiak has in mind. A rookie back who can help absorb carries gives the Raiders a little more balance, and it could keep Jeanty fresher as the season goes on. For a player expected to be central to the offense, having another back ready to contribute may be exactly the kind of support that helps unlock the breakout many in Las Vegas have been waiting for. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders 53-Man Roster Reveals How Fast This New Era Is Taking Shape
The Raiders have put their initial 53-man roster in place for the 2026 season, and the list offers a clear snapshot of how quickly this new regime has put its stamp on the team. The roster is built from every corner of the player market, from the draft and free agency to waivers, trades and undrafted signings, with the mix showing just how aggressively the front office has tried to reshape the depth chart in a short span.
There is also a bigger organizational story tucked into the numbers. The breakdown by general manager influence, the age profile at each position and the college-conference makeup all point to a roster being built with a specific identity in mind, while several players are already back alongside former college teammates. For a team trying to establish a new era, those connections and construction details may matter as much as the names themselves. [Read more 🡒]