Ashton Jeanty is not getting a week off. Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak was asked Wednesday about reports that the team had discussed resting its banged-up running back against the Buffalo Bills, and his answer took two words.
“He’s playing,” Kubiak said.
Kubiak then went further, saying the second-year back will get more practice work this week, not less. “I think Ashton is really starting to feel a lot better physically, so I’m excited to give him even more reps in practice, more full speed reps.”
Playing through ankle and foot injuries
Jeanty has been managing a sprained ankle since training camp and added a foot injury in the Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He was listed as questionable for the Week 5 trip to New England, played, and finished with a season-low 10 carries for 27 yards in the 45-17 loss to the Patriots. He did catch three passes for 50 yards.
Through five games, Jeanty has 88 carries for 291 yards, an average of 3.3 yards per carry, without a rushing touchdown. That is down from the 3.7 he averaged as a rookie. His value has come as a receiver, where he has 22 catches for 215 yards and both of his touchdowns.
What it means against Buffalo
Kubiak’s answer settles the question of whether Jeanty plays, but not how much. Rookie Mike Washington Jr. has taken on a bigger share of the work while Jeanty has been limited, and that split could continue if the Raiders want to manage his snaps while still keeping him active.
Las Vegas, 3-2, returns home to face the Bills at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, October 18, at 4:25 p.m. EDT. Jeanty’s practice participation on Thursday and Friday will show how much of the workload he can handle.
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