Raiders moving backmost Ashton Jeanty (2) runs the shot against Kansas City Chiefs information Bryan Cook (6) during the 2nd fractional of an NFL shot crippled astatine Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. Photo by: Wade Vandervort
Mark Anderson, Associated Press
Friday, May 22, 2026 | 2 a.m.
Ashton Jeanty spent his rookie play past twelvemonth moving down an injured and ineffective Raiders violative line, often getting met successful the backfield by a defender conscionable aft being handed the ball.
He inactive recovered a mode to unreserved for 975 yards and full 1,321 yards from scrimmage, adjacent if it usually was a grind to get there.
Now Jeanty, the sixth wide prime successful the 2025 NFL draft after a play astatine Boise State successful which helium finished 2nd successful the Heisman Trophy voting, is backmost and determined to grounds his game- and tackle-breaking abilities for Las Vegas.
That process is underway with organized squad activities taking place.
“I deliberation the gait of an NFL game, everything happens quicker," Jeanty said. "So conscionable speeding up my process and however I run each and each azygous play.”
Jeanty averaged conscionable 1.6 yards per unreserved earlier contact, 3rd lowest among backs past play with much than 100 carries, according to Pro Football Reference.
He played down a beforehand that for astir of the play was without its champion lineman, near tackle Kolton Miller, after an ankle wounded successful Week 4. The Raiders also lured three-time Pro Bowl halfway Tyler Linderbaum from Baltimore by making him the league's highest-paid interior violative lineman with a three-year, $81 cardinal declaration that includes $60 cardinal guaranteed.
Those 2 unsocial should marque it a amended line, and determination are different reasons to deliberation determination could beryllium genuine betterment with beardown contention astatine the remaining 3 spots.
“The rookies got successful past week, truthful we had dinner, got immoderate barbecue,” Miller said. "That’s each portion of gathering chemistry. I cognize we walk truthful overmuch clip during OTAs and seems similar we don’t person a batch of clip off, but I deliberation going the other mile and having meal each present and then, getting the guys unneurotic is truly important.”
What it each means volition play retired successful the coming months, particularly erstwhile the play begins successful September.
Las Vegas, past nether manager Pete Carroll, wasn't shy astir putting Jeanty to work. He carried 266 times, seventh highest successful the league and tops among rookies.
The Raiders drafted Arkansas moving backmost Mike Washington Jr. successful the 4th circular past month, and helium could instrumentality immoderate of the load disconnected Jeanty and assistance sphere the second-year back.
But first-year manager Klint Kubiak didn't privation to perceive that.
“I deliberation it’s important to person a prime 2nd back, but the champion subordinate has got to play, and we got to get them connected the tract arsenic overmuch arsenic we can,” Kubiak said. "I don’t cognize the play drawback percentage, but you look astatine Christian McCaffrey, his play drawback percent is high. So those large backs, they don’t privation to travel disconnected the field.”
McCaffrey's 311 rushes past play for San Francisco were 2nd lone to the 323 times Indianapolis handed Jonathan Taylor the ball.
Jeanty appears to beryllium successful lockstep with his manager astir contributing arsenic overmuch arsenic helium can.
"Obviously, I privation to assistance the squad triumph arsenic overmuch arsenic I can, and if I don’t person to, I don’t privation to travel disconnected the field,” Jeanty said.
Crosby connected way to beryllium acceptable for camp
Kubiak said walk rusher Maxx Crosby, who underwent genu country successful January, is connected people to instrumentality portion successful grooming campy successful July.
The Ravens nixed a commercialized for Crosby on March 11 implicit what they called a failed physical, sending him backmost to Las Vegas.
Known for his nonstop vigor and willingness to play done injuries, Crosby was a spectator astatine OTAs connected Wednesday aft going done pre-practice stretches.
“You didn’t person to inquire him to bash that," Kubiak said. “He’s going to beryllium determination arsenic overmuch arsenic possible, and helium knows that we’re counting connected him to beryllium a leader. So he’s showing his face. He’s besides precise engaged successful the meetings and he’s 1 of those guys you got to say, ‘Whoa’ to. You person got to propulsion him back. He mightiness leap successful determination successful squad play if you’re not watching.”
Mendoza easing mode into the lineup
The Raiders person made it wide they're not going to rush No. 1 wide draught prime Fernando Mendoza, and that was evident astatine practice. He worked arsenic the third-team backmost down Kirk Cousins and Aidan O'Connell.
“He has not disappointed,” Kubiak said. "He’s moving his process off. It’s precise important to him. Asks a batch of large questions erstwhile helium gets connected the field. He’s nary BS. He’s each ball.”
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