The Las Vegas Raiders have an early injury concern involving one of their key offensive players. Ashton Jeanty is working his way back from an ankle sprain, and although his return to light work is encouraging, his status for the Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins remains uncertain.
What Happened to Ashton Jeanty?
Jeanty injured his right ankle during a training camp practice on August 23 after diving for a low pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins. He landed awkwardly and had to be helped off the field without putting weight on his right leg.
It was reported that Jeanty suffered a low ankle sprain, meaning he avoided a more serious ligament injury that could have kept him out for an extended period.
On Tuesday, he returned to the practice field, working on a side field with trainers. It was his first known work in the field since suffering the injury.
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Raiders general manager John Spytek offered an encouraging update on Jeanty’s recovery, praising the rookie’s approach while he works his way back. “I think he’s in a good spot. We see him every day. He’s working really hard. He’s on the mend,” Spytek said.
Ashton Jeanty is on the mend, but his return timeline remains unresolved
John Spytek: “I think he’s in a good spot. 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… pic.twitter.com/FghUncfGLi
— MicNuggets (@micnuggetsnfl) September 1, 2026
He also praised Jeanty’s mindset and suggested the running back could return sooner than expected.
“I expect him to be back as quick as he can, maybe quicker than some people would expect,” Spytek added. “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.”
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For now, the Raiders are not putting a specific timetable on his return and will continue to monitor his progress.
Raiders Prepare for Week 1
Las Vegas will open its 2026 season against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon under new head coach Klint Kubiak.
The quarterback situation was resolved on Wednesday: Kirk Cousins will lead the team, with Fernando Mendoza as his backup.
According to PFN’s Offense Impact Metric, the Raiders’ offense ranked second-worst in the league last season, so Cousins has a tough task at his disposal.
Rookie Mike Washington Jr. and Dylan Laube are expected to take on a bigger workload if Jeanty is ruled out.
Will Ashton Jeanty Play in Week 1?
Jeanty remains day-to-day, so there is still no definitive answer about his Week 1 status.
His return to light work is encouraging, but the Raiders are expected to remain cautious. If the second-year running back avoids setbacks, his chances of playing against Miami look promising.
