While the Raiders have characterized Ashton Jeanty as “on the mend” with his ankle injury, head coach Klint Kubiak provided a little more information on the running back in his Wednesday press conference.
Though Jeanty did not practice on Wednesday, Kubiak replied “yes” when asked if he’s optimistic about Jeanty being available to play in the season opener.
“He’s continuing to improve,” Kubiak said. “You guys saw him out there yesterday. He’s still on the mend.”
Jeanty suffered an ankle injury during practice on Aug. 23. While the injury initially appeared like it could keep Jeanty out for an extended period, he was subsequently diagnosed with a sprained ankle.
The No. 6 overall pick of the 2025 draft, Jeanty registered 1,321 yards from scrimmage with 10 total touchdowns as a rookie.
The Raiders will play the Dolphins to open their season on Sept. 13.
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak didn’t delay naming a QB1 any longer when he walked to the podium for his Wednesday press conference.
“Kirk’s going to be the starting quarterback,” Kubiak said to begin his media session.
Kubiak added that Cousins did not participate in Wednesday’s practice as a rest day.
The Raiders had telegraphed that move throughout the offseason, with the team’s brass repeatedly saying that the idea was to let No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza grow and learn before seeing the field.
To that end, Cousins’ rest day was an opportunity for Mendoza to get reps with the first-team offense.
“Live reps are the best medicine, so that was very helpful for him,” Kubiak said.
While it may seem like Cousins became the starter by default, Kubiak noted how impressed he’s been with the veteran quarterback’s work.
“He’s played really good football,” Kubiak said. “I’m really happy with all three of our quarterbacks. Kirk’s had a really good offseason, really good camp. And he’s earned it.
“I think [competition] made Kirk better, it made Aiden [O’Connell] better, it made Fernando better. That’s the nature of the position — it’s the most competitive position in the free world. And those guys all improved the roster through their play this offseason.”
The Raiders will open the 2026 season against the Dolphins on Sept. 13.
Two key Raiders are not participating in Wednesday’s practice.
According to multiple reporters on the scene, quarterback Kirk Cousins and running back Ashton Jeanty are among those sidelined in the day’s session.
While Jeanty is dealing with an ankle injury, the reason for Cousins’ absence is unknown. The quarterback did appear on the field before the end of the media’s viewing window in a red jersey and a hat, which could be an indication that he’s receiving a rest day.
Head coach Klint Kubiak is expected to address the media after practice.
With Cousins not participating, rookie Fernando Mendoza handled the QB duties for the first-team offense. Mendoza is expected to receive much fewer reps with the regular season beginning, so this could be a chance for him to further his development before the team dives deeper into preparing to play the Dolphins on Sept. 13.
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak hasn’t made it official, but all indications have been throughout the offseason and training camp that Kirk Cousins will open the season as starting quarterback — despite the club drafting Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall.
Mendoza flashed his potential in the preseason, though the performance was ultimately up and down.
On Tuesday, General Manager John Spytek noted that Mendoza has been the same kind of guy they got to know during the pre-draft process, so it’s not like the team has been surprised at the way the quarterback has gone about his business.
“He’s a tireless worker. He loves football. He loves his teammates. He’s energetic on the field. He’s self-critical. He’s self-aware. He’s very accurate,” Spytek said, via transcript from the team. “His time is coming, but he’s got to earn it every day, and he knows that. I think we’re all very pleased with the person and his work ethic and his commitment to being a great quarterback.”
While the team wants to make sure Mendoza is ready before putting him on the field, Spytek cited several different quarterbacks to note that there’s more than one way to develop a young QB.
“Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love, Patrick Mahomes, Jayden Daniels. Like you said, there’s success stories and failures in both ways,” Spytek said. “We’re just trying to build the best team we can and play the guys that are most ready to play, and have a constant competition in every room, not just the quarterback room, but every room.
“The expectation always will be that the best person, the person that’s earned it, the person that can do their job for the team, will be the one that plays.”
Mendoza completes 25-of-45 passes for 240 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in the preseason.
The Raiders will open the season at home against the Dolphins on Sept. 13.
Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty was not seen at Tuesday’s practice as he works his way back from a sprained ankle. The Raiders have not offered specifics about Jeanty’s injury since he sprained his ankle in an Aug. 23 practice.
Head coach Klint Kubiak has said the Raiders are “counting on” Jeanty to play in Week 1.
But General Manager John Spytek did not make any promises Tuesday.
“I think he’s in a good spot,” Spytek said, via video from the team. “We see him every day. He’s working really hard. He’s on the mend, as Klint said. I think that’s one of the things we all like and respect about Ashton is just the maturity he has and the spirit that he has, that it’s hard to knock him down, and I think he attacks everything with a great mindset. And I don’t think that this will be any different for him. I expect him to be back as quick as he can, maybe quicker than some people would expect. When that is, we’ll see. But I think he’s in a good spot, and I think he’ll be ready to go when we get him back out there.”
Jeanty, the sixth overall pick in 2025, played all 17 games last season and totaled 975 yards and five touchdowns on 266 carries.
The Raiders drafted running back Mike Washington in the fourth round, and he rushed for 168 yards on 23 carries in the preseason.
