Ashton Jeanty has been largely ineffective through the first six weeks of the season, and for the first time since he was drafted in 2025, Jeanty’s role might be reduced in week 7.
In week 6, Jeanty ran 10 times for 22 yards, but only two of his touches came after the half compared to Mike Washington Jr.’s six.
A shift in the Raiders’ backfield might have already begun, and according to Sports Illustrated, if Jeanty gets off to a rough start this week against the Rams, there’s a good chance Washington is going to get more playing time.
“I think the question has to be asked not about more reps for Mike Washington. I think he’s earning them and on a system that’s based on earning, you go with the hot hand,” Carpenter said on the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast.
“If Ashton doesn’t come out on fire, I will be stunned if Mike doesn’t get more reps. We’ll leave it there.”
Generally, when someone finishes a statement by saying, ‘we’ll leave it there’, it means there is more information and that information isn’t going to be revealed.
Presumably, there have been conversations about pulling back on Jeanty’s role, and if those conversations haven’t taken place, they need to happen.
If for no other reason than to let Jeanty’s foot and ankle get back to full strength, the Raiders would be wise to pivot to Washington for a week, especially considering Washington has been the more effective running back since the start of the season.
Even in week 1, which was Jeanty’s best game of the season, Washington averaged 5.9 yards per carry compared to Jeanty’s 4.4 YPC.
Fantasy football owners take note…
Whatever the Raiders do this week with Jeanty, fantasy football owners have been warned.
After seeing his role reduced in week 6, the writing is on the wall for Jeanty. Unless he does something he hasn’t done since week 1, it seems like Jeanty’s role is trending in the wrong direction.
Remember, John Spytek said Klint Kubiak was pounding the table for Washington in the draft, so we already know the first-year head coach is a big fan of Washinton.
Additionally, Kubiak wasn’t the coach who drafted Jeanty in 2025. That was Pete Carroll.
Just something to keep in mind as the Raiders continue to look something… or someone… to spark their running game.
x: @raidersbeat
10 carries 22 yards. That’s not good enough to be in the NFL let alone be a starter. We have to move on from this bust.
In the event that Jeanty is removed as the number 1,running back, it is not because he lacks giving his effort. Ashton Jeanty from what I have seen is playing hurt. It might be in his best interest to get some rest. It appears that he needs to be in action to keep his timing etc. As a fan, I have seen Jeanty as a dedicated Raider. Hope he recovers from his nagging injuries.
If injuries were the problem then explain how he has been underperforming and underwhelming since last season? He did the same things we saw last season as he does this season. It isn’t injuries. He’s too small.
Kubs didn’t draft Bowers either – when a supposed Pundit uses that ClapTrap Crap (he didn’t draft him) it, and Only at times refers to high pick QB’s that are not performing… Period. Coaches play they BEST they have… They want to win – Did you forget this #1 objective?