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Second-year running back Ashton Jeanty might interpret his reduced role in the Las Vegas Raiders' recent victory over the New York Jets as a necessary wake-up call, ESPN's Dan Graziano reported on Wednesday. In Week 8, Mike Washington Jr. carried the ball 25 times for 83 yards, while Jeanty managed a career-low two touches for nine yards.
According to Graziano, if Jeanty does not respond with improved performance, the Raiders are prepared to continue allocating carries in Washington's favor, as the latter currently provides a more explosive element to the running game. Graziano also suggested that the decision to favor Washington over Jeanty may reflect the strong roster influence of head coach Klint Kubiak, who was hired after Jeanty was selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 draft.
Kubiak informed reporters earlier this week that the choice to give Washington more touches against the Jets was his own. He also stated that Jeanty's reduced role was not connected to the running back's pregame comments that disparaged the effort of the Jets' run defense. "He's gonna be a huge part of our run game moving forward. We just wanted to give Mike a few more opportunities today," Kubiak said Sunday regarding Jeanty. "I think both of those guys are gonna be a huge part of our rushing and passing success moving forward."
Jeanty suffered a sprained ankle during practice in late August but was still available to record a season-high 23 carries in Week 1. Per Graziano, the Raiders believed Jeanty had limitations from that injury early in the season but now feel he is "at a point where they want to see him play better." Entering last weekend's matchup against the Jets, Jeanty had accumulated 106 carries for 328 yards and one touchdown. He had also made 34 receptions, including three touchdown catches, while ranking first among running backs with 312 receiving yards.
Jeanty once again played a significant role in the team's passing attack during Sunday's win in New York. The Raiders are now preparing for a Sunday matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, whose run defense has ranked among the most effective in the NFL this season. Even if Jeanty sees more touches this weekend, Kubiak has indicated he may consider splitting the backfield more evenly between Jeanty and Washington when the Week 9 game kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET in Santa Clara.
Key Analysis
The Raiders' backfield dynamics are shifting, with Washington's recent usage signaling a potential change in offensive philosophy. Jeanty's early-season ankle injury may have hindered his effectiveness, but the team now expects more from the former first-round pick. Kubiak's willingness to distribute carries based on performance suggests a meritocratic approach, and Jeanty's response in the coming weeks will be crucial for his role moving forward.
Originally reported by bleacherreport.