Kubiak: Ashton Jeanty is ‘on the mend’

We’re not sure if that’s an official medical diagnosis but it’s good news that the Raiders are not saying the second-year back sustained a real-deal high ankle injury, the kind of injury that often leads to an extended absence and significant rehab time. Rapoport said the Raiders are hopeful Jeanty can suit up for Week 1 against the Dolphins, though the team is far from certain Jeanty will be ready to go after suffering the ankle injury during Sunday’s practice. He added Jeanty’s injury is not of the season-threatening variety. If Jeanty is sidelined for Week 1, Mike Washington, Jr. would likely take over as the team’s lead back and would be locked in as a starter in 12-team fantasy leagues.

The Raiders are still unsure how long Jeanty will be sidelined, but both Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport say the team is “breathing a sigh of relief.” Without knowing Jeanty’s return timeline, and the injury’s specifics, it is difficult to assess whether Jeanty is worthy of a top-15 fantasy draft pick. We expect to learn more in the coming days. For now, it might be worthwhile to pass on Jeanty in favor of healthy players late in Round 1 and early in Round 2. Should his ADP begin to tumble a few rounds, buying the dip could be worth it.

According to the California Post’s Vincent Bonsignore, the Raiders “gathered as a team to acknowledge the injury” after Jeanty was helped off the field. ESPN’s Ryan McFadden believes it is a right knee injury. This sounds bad. We will provide an update as soon as possible. Raiders rookie RB Mike Washington is his direct backup and would likely operate as the team’s starter if Jeanty misses time.

It makes some sense given how the offseason played out, as the Raiders never really settled on a potential third-down back until they signed Dare Ogunbowale once training camp started. Jeanty playing all three downs would be a major feather in his cap from a fantasy perspective should it come to pass. Jeanty caught 55 passes for 346 yards and five scores in 2026, but given the quality of receiver talent on this roster, he could do better in his second season.

Per Breer, Jeanty “is showing explosion and violence running without pads on.” Assuming those traits carry over to padded practices and the regular season, coach Klint Kubiak “will have a pretty valuable centerpiece for the run game that serves as the foundation for his scheme.” It’s been months since we heard talk of a split backfield. The idea is seemingly a thing of the past after May and June reports indicated Jeanty could serve as a featured three-down player. Treat him as a locked-in RB1 with upside.

This is the second report in as many weeks, published on the team website, where Jeanty says he does not want to come off the field in 2026 and a Raiders coach backs him up. Per Young, Jeanty is currently refining his pass protection, receiving skills and ability “to make the simple plays in the run game.” It remains to be seen whether Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak will move on from the two-player backfield rotation that has served him well in the past. Thus far, though, Jeanty’s odds of securing a true bellcow role seem to be ever so slightly ticking upward.

Nothing is set in stone, but this quote is worth paying close attention to. Kubiak employed a steady two-running back rotation in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run last year. Is it possible he would adjust his philosophy if the backfield’s talent requires him to do so? With a “slight” smile, Kubiak said that the team wants “to put a lot of pressure” on RB1 Ashton Jeanty, before noting that 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey’s “play-snap percentage is high. So, those great backs, they don’t want to come off the field.” Jeanty echoed the sentiment, saying, “if I don’t have to, I don’t want to come off the field.” Now, if rookie RB Mike Washington Jr. takes spring and summer practices by storm, Kubiak will probably rotate him in regularly. However, it seems as though Kubiak is at least open to the idea of featuring Jeanty as a full-time player.

It’s a record-breaking contract that makes Linderbaum the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history. The $27 million average per year beat Creed Humphrey’s record for centers by $8 million a season. The Raiders desperately needed this kind of talent infusion on their interior line, and with Fernando Mendoza (almost certainly) about to arrive soon, Linderbaum will help him set protections and get him adjusted to the NFL game. The rumors that Linderbaum was about to get a blank check in free agency proved more than true. This is also a big boost to Ashton Jeanty’s fantasy stock.

It’s not the news dynasty managers who spent valuable draft capital last season want to hear, but it isn’t all that surprising to hear from Kubiak, who deployed both Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet at high rates last season. Jeanty will almost certainly operate as the lead back, but it is a bit alarming when you consider how Walker and Charbonnet were utilized last season, and the fact that both running backs finished as the RB28 in PPR points per game (11.3). It’s far too early to panic, but fantasy managers already participating in early best ball drafts may want to consider this latest piece of news before selecting Jeanty in the last first/early second round of drafts.

Mendoza is all but certain to land with the Raiders, who have the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. After displaying “elite accuracy and overall arm talent to throw to all levels of the field” during his final season at Indiana — leading the Hoosiers to the team’s first national title — Mendoza should be a good fir for Kubiak, fresh off turning Sam Darnold into a Super Bowl winning quarterback. “Mendoza brings a strong frame and in-pocket mobility with enough creativity to handle duress out of structure,” Yates said. “And his quick-processing skills point to a successful starting NFL QB.” Even if Mendoza struggles as a rookie, he will be a major upgrade for Brock Bowers and the rest of the Vegas pass catchers.