Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty left Sunday’s training camp practice after diving for a low pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins during a team drill and landing awkwardly on his right leg. He could not put weight on it and had to be helped off the field by athletic trainers. Several of his teammates took a knee and appeared to say a prayer as he left. Jeanty, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Boise State, was the 2024 Heisman Trophy runner-up and the school’s career rushing leader. As a rookie last season, he piled up 975 rushing yards and 346 receiving yards — 1,321 scrimmage yards in all — with 10 total touchdowns across 17 games.
Key facts
- Player: Ashton Jeanty, Raiders running back (No. 6 overall pick, 2025 NFL Draft)
- When: Left practice on Aug. 23, 2026 after landing awkwardly on his right leg
- Initial reports: Described as an apparent knee injury
- Updated report: Now believed to be a sprained ankle, not considered long-term
- Team statement: None as of Monday morning; imaging results expected back Aug. 24
- Fill-in: Rookie Mike Washington Jr. took over Jeanty’s first-team practice reps
- Next games: Preseason finale Aug. 27 vs. San Francisco 49ers; regular-season opener Sept. 13 vs. Miami Dolphins
Reports shift from an apparent knee injury to a believed ankle sprain
The injury happened on Aug. 23, 2026, and the reporting shifted as the day went on. In-the-moment reporting from reporters at practice, including ESPN, NFL.com and CBS Sports, first described it as an apparent knee injury, based on how Jeanty went down and couldn’t put pressure on the leg. Then, later that night, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, citing sources, reported that the injury is instead believed to be a sprained ankle, and that it is not considered long-term. ESPN’s report on that update described the Raiders organization as “breathing a sigh of relief” at the news. The team still doesn’t know exactly how long Jeanty will be sidelined, and the Raiders organization has declined to comment on the diagnosis or its severity.
No official word from the team
As of Monday morning, the Raiders had not issued an official statement confirming a diagnosis, severity, timetable or any injured-reserve decision for Jeanty. The team was expected to have imaging results back Monday, Aug. 24.
Backup running back steps up
With Jeanty out of Sunday’s practice, rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. took over first-team reps for the rest of the session. Washington, a fourth-round pick (No. 122 overall) out of Arkansas in the 2026 NFL Draft, had already been alternating first-team snaps with Jeanty during camp and is listed on the Raiders’ unofficial depth chart as the No. 2 back, ahead of Dylan Laube, Roman Hemby and veteran Dare Ogunbowale. For fantasy managers, this is a developing situation to monitor before making roster decisions: Jeanty’s timetable is unknown, and Mike Washington Jr. is the backup to watch after taking over first-team reps.
What’s next for the Raiders
The Raiders have one preseason game left, Aug. 27 against the San Francisco 49ers, before opening the regular season on Sept. 13 against the Miami Dolphins — roughly three weeks after Jeanty’s injury. Whether Jeanty will be ready for either game has not been determined, and the team has not given a return timetable.