The Raiders took running back Ashton Jeanty off their final injury report Friday, clearing him to play in Sunday’s season opener against the Miami Dolphins.
The decision ends weeks of uncertainty after Jeanty sprained his right ankle during an Aug. 23 training camp practice. He had been a full participant Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Tight end Brock Bowers was the only Raider ruled out. Bowers will miss the game after knee surgery.Jeanty went down in a team period when he dove for a low pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins and landed awkwardly.
Trainers helped him off the indoor field. He put no weight on the injured leg. Players and coaches dropped to a knee and prayed in silence before practice resumed.
Early reports described the injury as a sprain that was not expected to sideline him for an extended stretch.
Jeanty missed the rest of camp and the preseason finale but avoided injured reserve. That choice showed the team believed he could return inside four weeks.Jeanty said the first moment felt worse than the actual damage.
“Nerve-wracking first going down, but when I popped up I had a sigh of relief,” Jeanty said. “I knew it wasn’t anything too bad.”
He later added that the scare still changed how he viewed the situation.
“Anytime you have an injury, you think about how much worse it could’ve been,” he said. “It just gives you perspective. But, of course, just glad it’s something light.”
After his first practice back, Jeanty told reporters he felt ready.
“Any time away from the game, it’s tough,” Jeanty said. “But to get back out there, mainly with the guys, man, it felt good.”
He is looking forward to facing someone other than his own teammates.
“It’s been offense versus defense, that gets old,” Jeanty said. “You want to strap it up and really go against somebody. That’s what you practice for, that’s what you play this game for, to go dominate somebody else.”
Offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko said the building noticed the difference as soon as Jeanty returned.
“We’re happy to have Ashton back on the field, get him ready to go,” Janocko said. “He comes out with that big smile on his face, the energy he brings to this offense and to this organization is undeniable. So, just happy to have him back out working.”
Jeanty was the sixth overall pick in the 2025 draft. He started all 17 games as a rookie, carrying 266 times for 975 yards and five touchdowns. He added 55 receptions for 346 yards and five receiving scores.
First-year coach Klint Kubiak wants a run-heavy offense, and Jeanty remains the lead back.
Rookie Mike Washington Jr. had a strong camp and could spell him early while Jeanty works back after two weeks of missed practices.
Sunday’s game at Allegiant Stadium will be Jeanty’s first live action in three weeks. The Raiders open the Kubiak era needing production from the backfield with Bowers unavailable.
