By admin 
The Raiders will have their starting running back in the season opener. After Ashton Jeanty suffered an ankle injury in training camp, his status for Week 1 became murky.
Read more Predicting 3 Key Steelers Stat Lines Against Falcons in Week 1
But Jeanty returned to practice on Wednesday as a full participant and is ready to roll against the Dolphins on Sunday.
“I feel really good,” Jeanty told the media when asked if he was 100 percent. “Super excited to go out there and play a good game with this team.”
Raiders’ offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko
“We’re happy to have Ashton back on the field and get him ready to go,” Janocko said. “He comes out with that big smile on his face. The energy he brings to this offense and this organization is undeniable. So, just happy to have him back out working.”
Will the Raiders limit Jeanty?
Jeanty says he is at 100 percent, but the Raiders have a reason to take it easy with their star back.
Rookie Mike Washington popped in the preseason, rushing for 168 yards on 23 carries. The fourth rounder has size and speed that could correlate to success in Klint Kubiak’s zone-based running game.
Read more Rays Reportedly Put in Waiver Claim for Former Silver Slugger, Gold Glover
Allowing Washington to take some of the snaps in the backfield could help Jeanty ease into the season and allow the Raiders to get a look at their rookie.
Last season, Raheem Mostert had the second-most carries of any running back in Las Vegas. He only took 22 handoffs in 2025. Jeanty dominated the backfield. Regardless of his ankle injury, the Raiders would stand to benefit from keeping Jeanty fresh.
No Brock Bowers
The Raiders will be without Brock Bowers to start the season, which leaves the Raiders devoid of offensive talent. Bowers was set to be the number one target in the passing game, but now a collection of unproven wide receivers will have to step up.
Jeanty and Washington could help fill the absence left by Bowers as well. The two running backs are near, if not at the very top, of the list of most talented skill position players in Las Vegas. Kubiak loves to feed his best players, so working both into the passing game would be wise.
Read more Falcons QB Tagovailoa injured during practice ahead of opener
Las Vegas Raiders Essentials
- The 5 best quarterbacks in Raiders history
- 5 best running backs in Raiders history
- 5 best wide receivers in Raiders history
- NFL’s richest owners: Where does Mark Davis rank?
- Tom Brady’s net worth, salary, and Raiders ownership
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published September 11, 2026 at 7:00 AM.