Ashton Jeanty, the Raiders' second-year running back, was helped off the practice field on Sunday without putting any weight on his right leg after landing awkwardly diving for a catch.
The incident occurred during 11-on-11 drills, with Jeanty lying on the ground as his teammates immediately froze. Trainers tended to him before helping him up and aiding him off the field. The team then observed a moment of silence before finishing practice.
Jeanty is coming off a quality rookie season in Las Vegas, where he totaled over 1,300 yards with 10 total scores. He had been splitting reps with rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. throughout the day.
Washington Jr. is expected to take over the first-team reps while Jeanty is sidelined. The running back with the most rushing yardage on the Raiders roster, besides Jeanty, is Dare Ogunbowale, with 594 career rush yards and 850 career receiving yards.
In his first NFL preseason action against the Arizona Cardinals, Washington Jr. ran six times for 63 yards, including a 53-yard run. He also showed his ability in pass protection and as a passing threat, catching two passes for 18 yards.
Later, Washington Jr. followed up with another strong performance against the Houston Texans, running nine times for 56 yards and adding two catches for 18 yards.
With Jeanty's injury, the Raiders seem to have a dependable back to take his place. However, the extent of Jeanty's injury remains unknown, and the team has yet to provide any information on his condition.
The Raiders will likely face a wait-and-see approach as they assess Jeanty's injury and determine the best course of action. In the meantime, Washington Jr. will likely take over the first-team reps, and the team will rely on him to carry the load.
The Raiders' next preseason game is scheduled for later this week, and fans will be watching closely to see how Washington Jr. performs in his new role.
Source: CBS