The Las Vegas Raiders opened the 2026 NFL season with a promising 3-0 start, but a tougher schedule over the following weeks has coincided with a three-game losing streak. Now 3-3, the Raiders are in third place in the AFC West as they prepare for their Week 7 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins has played well in his first season in the silver and black, but the Raiders have been unable to complement their passing attack with a consistent running game. Second-year running back Ashton Jeanty entered the season with high expectations. However, he has been unable to generate the production the Raiders expected from their former No. 6 overall pick.
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The Raiders are averaging just 79.2 rushing yards per game, ranking 30th in the NFL. Through six games, Jeanty has carried the ball 98 times for 313 yards and a touchdown, averaging just 3.2 yards per carry. With the league average hovering around 4.2 yards per carry, Jeanty’s lack of efficiency and the offensive line’s run-blocking struggles have become increasingly difficult to overcome.
These struggles opened the door for rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. to take on a larger role in the backfield. In Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills, Washington had nine carries for 43 yards, while Jeanty had 10 for just 22 yards.
While Washington had carved out a significant role in the offense, Friday’s practice development could give Jeanty a chance to reclaim a heavier workload.
According to Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Washington was not spotted at practice, and Jeanty “could be in line for a full share of the reps” if Washington is unable to play Sunday.
If Washington is unable to go against the Rams, the Raiders will have to decide how much of the touch share they want to hand back to Jeanty. They could test whether a true workhorse load helps him find a rhythm, or they could preserve their committee approach. If they choose the latter, running back Dylan Laube is listed as their third back on the depth chart, though he only has five carries for nine yards on the season.
For Jeanty, Washington’s absence could create an opportunity to reassert himself as the clear-cut lead back. Whether the Raiders decide to give him that chance remains to be seen.
More on the Las Vegas Raiders
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- The Raiders Have a Third Quarter Problem That Klint Kubiak Must Fix
- Raiders Offensive Line Still Not Set Heading into Week 7
- Raiders’ Dont’e Thornton in Danger of Missing Entire Season
