Kubiak: Ashton Jeanty (ankle/foot) questionable

Mike Washington, Jr. in Week 8 against the Jets took over as the team’s lead rusher, logging 25 carries to just two carries for Ashton Jeanty. While Kubiak said after the game that Jeanty would remain a part of the offense, it’s clear the Raiders are willing to experiment with backfield touches. “You see where your team is at and who’s playing the best ball at the time. It’s a 17-game regular season where things change every week. They’ve been changing at guard, they change up front defensively, they change at corner,” Kubiak said. “That’s the NFL. We have a young roster and we’re going to give guys opportunities and see what fits us best. But your 11, whether you’re playing really well or not playing well at all, it’s always going to change a little bit.” The Raiders through Week 8 rank dead last in EPA per rush and second to last in rushing success rate. Jeanty should remain viable as long as he’s the team’s primary pass catcher out of the backfield. Jeanty ranks fifth among all RBs in expected fantasy points per game.

At least for one week, the Raiders formalized Washington’s early-down takeover, as the rookie out-carried a doghoused Ashton Jeanty 25-2. However, Washington got routinely stood up on his ample goal-line opportunities, and only out-gained Jeanty 83-73 thanks to Jeanty’s involvement in the passing game. A 45-yard reception where Jeanty literally fell down to catch an inaccurate Kirk Cousins pass only to get up and rumble nearly half the length of the field was by far the biggest play by a Raiders running back in this one. Although Washington now has to be considered the favorite for early-down work, he was uninspiring enough this afternoon that it’s not going to be an open-and-shut case against the 49ers. We would still rather start Jeanty in fantasy because of his pass catching.

Jeanty was benched as the Raiders’ early-down back, getting out-carried 25-2 by Mike Washington Jr. For his part, Washington was not effective, churning up just 3.3 yards per carry and getting stoned on a bevy of goal-line handles. Speaking afterward, coach Klint Kubiak said the move was his call but that "(Jeanty) is still going to be a big part of our team.” Jeanty made waves during the week when he said the Jets could not tackle. Rather than let the struggling second-year back prove his theory on the field, the Raiders made the takedown themselves for the Jets. While it’s clear Jeanty is now in a true timeshare, we do also take Kubiak at his word that Jeanty will remain a “big part” of the team, almost certainly with double-digit carries more weeks than not. The question is if he can keep catching enough passes to hold RB2 status. Washington is now the preferred short-yardage back, but his failures in Sunday’s highest-leverage spots could keep the door ajar for Jeanty.

As usual, Washington was far more efficient than lead back Ashton Jeanty, who had 15 yards on eight carries while catching eight passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. Washington can be stashed for now in case Jeanty misses time in the second half of the season. Washington likely won’t get the pass-catching work if Jeanty misses time, however.

Among the least efficient rushers in the game, Jeanty again struggled to get anything going on the ground behind a middling Vegas offensive line. He did almost all of his damage through the air, turning eight targets into 61 yards and a late score in garbage time. He ran a route on 20 of the team’s 35 drop backs against the Rams and ranked second among Raiders pass catchers in targets. Mike Washington had six carries on the day. Jeanty, with at least six targets in six of his seven games this season, can maintain RB2 status as long as he’s catching passes out of the backfield. He gets the Jets in Week 8.

Whether Washington plays all that much remains to be seen. He is not a recommended FLEX starter. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak has misdirected at times with injury-related comments. The Raiders declared DT Thomas Booker IV, DE Cian Slone, S Dalton Johnson, DT Jonah Laulu, G Bryan Cabeldue, S Tristin McCollum and QB Aidan O’Connell inactive for Week 7 against the Rams. O’Connell will serve as the emergency third quarterback.

Washington Jr. didn’t practice on Thursday or Friday but still received a questionable designation for Week 7. Fowler added that there is “some optimism” that he plays this week, but the pre-game workout will be the determining factor. Washington saw an uptick in carries last week with nine totes for 43 yards. We don’t expect as much work to go this way given the injury situation.

Washington didn’t practice on Thursday and was not spotted at practice on Friday. It would seem that he’s a very tenuous questionable at this point. Dylan Laube would be next up for backup duties behind Ashton Jeanty if Washington were ruled out.

Dang. This suggests Washington suffered one or both injuries yesterday in practice. He is firmly in the questionable camp and may have only a long shot at suiting up in Week 7 against the Rams. Without him, Ashton Jeanty should handle a solid workload. Dylan Laube could end up serving as the No. 2 running back.

In a semi-surprising twist of fate, the Raiders running back on the practice report with injuries is Washington, who was limited with foot and back injuries on Wednesday. Ashton Jeanty was not listed on the practice report. A limited practice indicates Washington is still trending to play Week 7, but with him appearing on the injury report and Jeanty off, any hopes for Washington achieving standalone fantasy value will have to wait.