The Las Vegas Raiders could be without a crucial piece of their offense after Ashton Jeanty suffered an apparent leg injury, raising major questions about his status with the season just weeks away.
Jeanty left Sunday’s training camp practice early after appearing to injure his right leg. During a team period, he dove to catch a low pass from Kirk Cousins near cornerback Darien Porter. He then landed awkwardly, unable to put weight on the leg as trainers helped him off the field. Several reporters on the scene, including ESPN’s Ryan McFadden, described it as an apparent knee injury, though other accounts have simply characterized it as a lower-leg issue.
Teammates froze as he lay on the ground, and the entire team took a knee in silence before finishing practice. The Raiders have not released a statement or diagnosis.
The Raiders could be in real trouble…
This is about as bad a moment as the Raiders could have picked for an injury scare. Jeanty is the team’s clear No. 1 back. He finished his rookie year with over 1,300 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns despite a thin supporting cast. No. 2 was expected to be the offense’s foundation under new coach Klint Kubiak.
He’s also seen as a stabilizing presence for rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza as he transitions into the starting role. Behind Jeanty, the depth chart thins out fast—rookie Mike Washington Jr. has impressed in camp and would likely step into the lead role if Jeanty is sidelined for any real length of time.
Related: Jackson Powers-Johnson returns to practice after missing joint practice
Expect the Raiders to stay quiet until imaging results come back, likely Monday, before saying anything official about severity or a possible IR designation.
Is this a real setback for the Raiders’ season, or is the team’s silence and the on-field prayer being read as more dire than it actually is? Let us know what you’re hearing.
*Top Photo:Â Associated PressÂ