Ashton Jeanty going down with an injury in training camp has been a rollercoaster ride for Las Vegas Raiders fans. At first, it seemed like the star running back was out for the season, but a report just hours later made it sound like the young player and the Raiders avoided the worst-case scenario.
Hopes were even higher when Las Vegas only included three running backs on the 53-man roster and didn't put Jeanty on IR. Although keeping two capable running backs on the practice squad called his availability for Week 1 and early in the 2026 NFL season into question.
Klint Kubiak, as usual, hasn't tipped his hand about Jeanty's status at all ahead of the opener against the Miami Dolphins. Well, until Wednesday, when Kubiak confirmed that Jeanty will practice this week and even said that he is "expecting to have all our guys ready for Sunday."
That's hardly a confirmation that Jeanty will play, but it's a major step in the right direction. It also changes the complexion for the opener against the Dolphins, as Miami's underrated but strong front seven would probably have an easier time against a fourth-round rookie in Mike Washington Jr.
Jeanty potentially being back nullifies that possible equalizer.
Ashton Jeanty returning to Raiders practice could change Week 1 complexion
After initially stating that he expected Jeanty to practice on Wednesday, Kubiak wouldn't commit to what his workload would be. He told reporters that Jeanty's exact designation would be determined by what he could do at practice, and that everyone would find out when the injury report came out.
Regardless, Jeanty is clearly trending toward playing, and without being placed on IR, he can return at any point. Obviously, that point could be as soon as this Sunday, or sometime down the road, but this update beats the alternative.
Washington Jr. may very well be ready to shoulder the load in an NFL game, but this is the first official contest of his career. He is a rookie who was selected on Day 3 this past April, and with only Dylan Laube and a practice squad player behind him, it may have gotten a bit tricky for Las Vegas.
Optimism that Jeanty could be back, though, has changed the complexion, as now, the Dolphins don't exactly know what or who to prepare for. And a second-year player (the No. 6 pick in last year's draft, no less) with tons of experience under his belt is a much stiffer foe for the Dolphins.
Plus, the seemingly little things in the preseason like pass protection and being in the right spot on checkdowns end up becoming major, consequential, game-altering things in the regular season. Jeanty is much better equipped to help the Raiders' offense in this way.
Dolphins' chances of stifling Raiders' rushing attack could be nullified if Ashton Jeanty plays
And for as weak as the Dolphins' roster is in a general sense, seeing as they gutted it this offseason to hit the reset button and rebuild, Miami actually has a strong front seven that should be solid enough against the run. That was the one area that they held a clear advantage over Las Vegas.
But with Jeanty back, things aren't so cut-and-dry for them. If the Dolphins, who are led by a good defensive mind in Jeff Hafley, knew that the Raiders couldn't lean on the run as much or that they wouldn't be as effective running the ball without Jeanty, then that changes the game plan.
Now, without knowing whether Jeanty will play or not, Hafley and Co. don't know what to expect. And if Jeanty plays, then they are much less likely to be able to shut down this Las Vegas rushing attack, which, again, was their only real advantage with the Raiders' star back potentially sidelined.
Again, Jeanty may not play. After a week of practice, the coaching staff may determine that he is better off waiting another week and nursing himself back to health even more before giving it a go. But now, at the very least, Jeanty practicing has cast some doubt in the Dolphins' mind.
The Raiders have a better quarterback, better pass-catching weapons, a more solid offensive line, a secondary that should swallow up Miami's receivers and tight ends, a linebacker corps who can stop the run and a defensive line that can get after the quarterback.
Miami stopping the run, on paper at least, seems like the only chance it had to flip the outcome of this game. But Jeanty potentially playing, or even the idea that he may, should throw the Dolphins for a loop and wipe that advantage off the table.
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