Raiders' Jeanty Returns to Practice, Boosts Week 1 Hopes
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The Las Vegas Raiders received a welcome sight on the practice field this week: rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, back in uniform and catching passes from Kirk Cousins. His return comes at a critical juncture, with the team just days away from their season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Jeanty had not practiced since August 23, when he dove for a low throw from Cousins during training camp, landed awkwardly on the turf inside the facility, and had to be helped off the field. The injury, described as an ankle issue, immediately cast doubt on his availability for Week 1.
For nearly three weeks, Jeanty’s status hovered in uncertainty. Yet both head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek maintained a steady tone of confidence. In early September, Spytek told reporters, “I think he is in a good spot. We see him every day. He is working really hard. He is on the mend. I expect him to be back as quick as he can. Maybe quicker than some people would expect. When that is, we will see.” Those words proved prescient. On September 9, video posted by reporter Ryan McFadden showed Jeanty catching passes from Cousins during practice, a clear sign that the running back had cleared a major hurdle.
But returning to the field is one thing; being ready for live NFL action is another. Jeanty now faces the challenge of regaining what coaches call “game shape” in a matter of days. At the professional level, conditioning, timing, and instinctual reactions cannot be replicated solely through drills. The only true way to simulate game speed is to play in games or practice at full intensity. With the opener looming, the Raiders coaching staff must decide how much workload to entrust to their prized rookie. If he does suit up against the Dolphins — and the odds seem to be improving — it would be prudent to expect a limited role, especially in the early stages of the contest.
Jeanty arrived in Las Vegas as the sixth overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, bringing with him a resume built at Boise State. During his rookie season with the Raiders, he recorded 266 carries for 975 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, while also contributing 346 yards and five touchdowns as a receiver. His dual-threat capability made him a centerpiece of the offense even before his injury, and his potential to impact both the running and passing game is precisely why the Raiders invested such a high draft pick in him. Head coach Kubiak has repeatedly emphasized Jeanty’s work ethic and football intelligence, qualities that could help accelerate his return to full effectiveness.
For now, the Raiders are taking a cautious approach. Jeanty’s participation in practice is the first step, but the medical and coaching staffs will monitor his ankle closely over the next few days. The team does not want to risk a setback that could sideline him for weeks, especially given the long season ahead. However, if Jeanty can demonstrate he can cut, accelerate, and absorb contact without pain, he may get the green light to play. The decision will likely come down to game-day evaluation.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, pose a formidable challenge. Miami’s defense, under new coordinator Anthony Weaver, has shown aggressive fronts and quick pursuit in preseason. For a running back coming off an ankle injury, the ability to plant and change direction under pressure will be tested early. The Raiders may look to ease Jeanty in with screens, check-downs, and zone runs that allow him to read the play before committing.
Regardless of his Week 1 workload, Jeanty’s return is a morale boost for a Raiders team that has playoff aspirations. His presence forces defenses to respect the run, opening up opportunities for Cousins and the passing game. As the season unfolds, the hope in Las Vegas is that Jeanty will quickly shake off the rust and reclaim the form that made him a top draft choice.
Article commentary
Ashton Jeanty’s return to practice just days before the season opener is undeniably good news for the Las Vegas Raiders, but the situation demands a measured perspective. The rookie running back suffered an ankle injury on August 23, and while the timeline for such injuries can vary, the fact that he missed nearly three weeks of practice raises legitimate questions about his readiness. The Raiders handled the situation with typical guarded optimism from both the coach and general manager, but words of confidence are standard fare in NFL front offices during injury recovery. The real test comes when the pads go on and the Dolphins defense is chasing him. From a medical standpoint, ankle sprains — especially those suffered from an awkward landing — often involve ligament damage that affects lateral movement and cutting ability. Jeanty’s ability to practice catching passes is encouraging, but running routes is far different from taking a handoff and making a sharp cut against a pursuing linebacker. The team’s decision to limit his practice reps initially suggests they are aware of this gap. The challenge of getting back into “game shape” in a few days is almost impossible to overcome fully at the NFL level, as the article notes. Conditioning is built over weeks, not hours. Strategically, the Raiders face a dilemma. Jeanty is a dynamic dual-threat runner and receiver, and his presence on the field changes how defensive coordinators game plan. Without him, the Raiders’ offense becomes more predictable, relying on a committee of less explosive backs. With him — even at 80 or 90 percent — the threat of a big play keeps safeties honest. However, rushing him back could backfire. If Jeanty re-aggravates the injury in Week 1, the Raiders might lose him for a longer stretch, disrupting their rhythm in an already competitive AFC West. Kubiak’s offensive scheme values running backs who can catch passes out of the backfield, and Jeanty’s college production demonstrates he can do exactly that. His 346 receiving yards and five touchdowns as a rookie suggest he is not just a between-the-tackles grinder but a versatile weapon. That versatility makes the decision even more nuanced: using him sparingly in the passing game might be safer than giving him 15 carries on the ground. The Dolphins defense, while not elite, is aggressive and fast. They will likely test Jeanty’s ankle early with hard hits and cutback tackles. If he shows any hesitation, the coaching staff would be wise to pull him. The long-term picture matters more than one win. Looking at the broader context, the Raiders invested the sixth overall pick in Jeanty, indicating they see him as a cornerstone for years. Protecting that investment is paramount. The best-case scenario is that Jeanty plays a limited but effective role against Miami, building confidence without overexerting his ankle. The worst-case scenario is that he reinjures himself and misses multiple weeks, forcing the Raiders to scramble. The prudent path would be to start him as a change-of-pace back and increase his workload gradually over the first month. Given the positive reports from practice, fans can be cautiously optimistic, but the true evaluation will come on game day.