Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty is believed to have sprained his ankle after being helped off the practice field Sunday, sources told NFL Network, with the team optimistic the injury is not long-term.
The Raiders declined to comment. The timeline for Jeanty’s return remains unclear, but sources said the injury is not considered serious.
He went down during the team practice period when he dove for a low pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins, landed awkwardly on the turf grass inside the practice facility and could not put weight on his right leg. Teammates took a knee and said a prayer after he was helped off by athletic trainers.
Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. stepped in for the remainder of practice, taking the first-team reps. Washington had been alternating starting reps with Jeanty before the injury and has drawn attention during training camp.
Why the injury matters for Las Vegas
He is central to the Raiders’ offensive identity entering the 2026 season. The team selected him with the sixth pick in the 2025 NFL draft and has structured its approach under first-year head coach Klint Kubiak around a run-heavy scheme. His presence in that system is not incidental. He is the engine.
He started 17 games and rushed for 975 yards and five touchdowns on 266 carries in his rookie season. He added 55 receptions for 346 yards and five receiving touchdowns, demonstrating versatility as both a runner and pass catcher. He appeared in the preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals but did not play in the win over the Houston Texans on Thursday as the team managed its starters’ preseason workload.
The depth behind Jeanty
If he misses time, Las Vegas would lean on Washington, Dylan Laube, undrafted rookie Roman Hemby and Dare Ogunbowale. Washington’s strong camp performance means he has the most preparation to step into a featured role if needed, but none of the depth options carries the draft capital or proven production that he brings.
The Raiders open the regular season against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13. Whether Jeanty is healthy and fully available for that game depends on the severity of the sprain and how he responds to treatment over the next several weeks.
The broader stakes
Raiders training camp ankle sprains can range from minor inconveniences that clear up in days to more significant injuries that linger into the early season. The fact that he could not put pressure on his leg immediately after the fall suggests at minimum a moderate sprain, though a grade 1 or grade 2 sprain without ligament damage would be consistent with a return within two to four weeks.
Washington is a capable backup, but a run-heavy offensive philosophy becomes significantly more difficult to execute without the player the system was built around. Every day Jeanty misses in practice is time that cannot be recovered in building the chemistry and timing an effective run game requires.
The Raiders will have additional clarity on the timeline once imaging results are reviewed.
