The Las Vegas Raiders suffered a concerning setback on Sunday when running back Ashton Jeanty went down with an apparent right knee injury during a full-team practice.
The incident occurred on August 23 as Jeanty ran a route and attempted to catch a low pass thrown by veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. Jeanty dived for the football but appeared to stumble as he came down on the grass inside the team’s practice facility.
He remained on the ground for some time before medical personnel arrived and helped him leave the field.
The injury immediately raised concern among his teammates, who gathered around Jeanty and appeared worried about his condition. According to the report, the players also said a prayer after the young running back was taken from the field.
As of the latest update, the Raiders had not announced the severity of Jeanty’s injury or provided a timetable for his potential return.
Jeanty Emerging as Raiders’ Key Running Back
The injury is particularly concerning because Jeanty has quickly established himself as an important part of the Raiders’ offensive plans.
Selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Jeanty entered the league with significant expectations and showed considerable promise during his rookie campaign.
He appeared in all 17 games during his debut season, carrying the ball 266 times for 975 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
His performances helped establish him as the Raiders’ leading running back and gave the team confidence in his ability to become a major offensive weapon.
Jeanty also contributed significantly as a receiver, recording 55 catches for 346 yards and five touchdowns during his rookie season.
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Injury Could Affect Raiders’ Offensive Plans
If Jeanty is forced to miss an extended period because of the knee injury, the Raiders could face a significant challenge in reshaping their backfield.
The team has several other running backs available, including Washington, Dylan Laube, rookie free agent Roman Hemby and Dare Ogunbowale. However, Jeanty was expected to remain a central figure in the Raiders’ offensive plans.
His ability to contribute both as a runner and receiver made him particularly valuable, especially as the team prepares to rely more heavily on its running game under first-year head coach Klint Kubiak.
The Raiders will therefore be eager to learn the extent of the injury before making any major adjustments to their plans.
Raiders Await Further Medical Updates
For now, the focus remains on determining the seriousness of Jeanty’s knee problem.
An apparent injury during training camp does not necessarily indicate a long-term absence, and further medical evaluation will be needed before the Raiders can establish a recovery timeline.
However, given Jeanty’s importance to the offense and his promising start to his NFL career, any extended absence would represent a notable setback for Las Vegas.
The Raiders and their supporters will now await official medical updates to determine whether Jeanty can return to practice soon or whether the injury will affect his preparations for the upcoming NFL season.
