Jeanty sustained the injury during Sunday's practice session while attempting to haul in a low pass from veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. The running back landed awkwardly on the turf and required assistance from athletic trainers to leave the field, appearing unable to put weight on his right leg. The incident caused a significant pause in the session, with teammates and coaching staff taking a knee in a moment of concern as he was escorted away.
Focus shifts to rookie Mike Washington Jr.
In the wake of the injury, the Raiders have adjusted their training routine, moving team practice periods to the outdoor field for the past two days. While Kubiak confirmed the decision to shift the practice location was his own, he declined to elaborate on the reasoning behind the change. The focus for the coaching staff has now turned toward preparing the remaining depth in the backfield.
Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. has stepped into the primary role, taking the majority of starting repetitions in Jeanty’s absence. Washington, who played collegiately at Arkansas, has made a strong impression during the preseason, accumulating 119 yards on 15 carries across two appearances. His performance includes an impressive 53-yard run during the opener against the Arizona Cardinals, contributing to a notable average of 7.9 yards per carry.
Kubiak expressed confidence in the rookie's ability to adapt to the increased workload. He noted that Washington has demonstrated significant maturity and an understanding of the team's expectations as the regular season approaches. While the team remains hopeful for Jeanty's return, the coaching staff is preparing for the possibility that Washington may be required to play a more prominent role than initially anticipated should the recovery process extend into the regular season schedule.
