Raiders' Mike Washington: Impresses on seven carries in win
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Washington rushed seven times for 41 yards in the Raiders' 27-13 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.
After Ashton Jeanty dealt with an ankle sprain for the previous month, it was unclear if the Raiders would dial things back with their star running back. Jeanty went on to handle a full workload, rushing 23 times for 102 yards, while also leading the team in catches and receiving yards with a 6-45-2 line. Washington looked good on his seven chances, but it's clear Jeanty is healthy, making Washington a mere bench stash in fantasy.
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Raiders' Mike Washington: Expected to be involved in Week 1 plan
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Washington could still play a sizable role Week 1 against the Dolphins, even with Ashton Jeanty (ankle) expected to suit up, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports.
Washington impressed the Raiders' coaching staff in the preseason, during which the rookie fourth-round pick rushed for 168 yards on 23 carries across three games, averaging a robust 7.3 YPC. Jeanty has returned to full practice participation in the week leading up to Sunday's regular-season opener against the Dolphins, but the 2025 first-round pick missed a chunk of practice time due to the ankle injury he suffered Aug. 23. With Jeanty still shaking off the cobwebs, Washington is primed for some added opportunities in his regular-season debut as the Raiders face the Dolphins in a battle between two teams expected to finish near the bottom of the standings this season.
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Raiders' Mike Washington: Effective in preseason start
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Washington rushed eight times for 49 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the Raiders' 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday.
Washington operated as the starting running back due to Ashton Jeanty (ankle) being sidelined and turned in an efficient performance. The rookie fourth-round pick set the tone for his night by quickly churning out 12 yards on the first two plays from scrimmage, and he added 13- and 11-yard gains on Las Vegas' second possession. Washington appears firmly entrenched as the No. 2 back to open the season, but he'd be teed up for a likely Week 1 starting assignment against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 13 if Jeanty is unable to suit up.
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Raiders' Mike Washington: Draws praise from coach
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Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said Tuesday that Washington has "done a great job of growing up real fast," Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site reports.
Washington was selected by Las Vegas in the fourth round of April's NFL Draft and has already turned heads in the team's first two preseason games, rushing for 119 yards on 15 carries (7.9 YPC) while adding two catches on four targets for 18 yards. The rookie became a hot topic in the fantasy community this past weekend when Ashton Jeanty went down with an ankle injury during practice, though he's nursing a low-ankle sprain and isn't looking at a long-term absence. It appears Jeanty could be ready to face the Dolphins in Week 1, but if the 2025 first-round pick is held out of the regular-season opener, Washington would be the lead candidate to take over No. 1 RB duties for that contest.
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Raiders' Mike Washington: Sees extra work after Jeanty injury
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Washington took most of the carries after Ashton Jeanty (knee) left Sunday's practice, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Washington has been getting rave reviews during the preseason, and the rookie -- who is followed by Dylan Laube, Dare Ogunbowale and Roman Hemby on the depth chart -- presumably will be the next players up should Jeanty miss any time. The extent of Jeanty's injury is not yet known, but the diagnosis will prove pivotal for fantasy players interested in drafting or who have already picked up either Raiders running back.
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Raiders' Mike Washington: Takes first-team reps after Jeanty exits practice
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Washington took the rest of the first-team RB reps in Sunday's practice after Ashton Jeanty left the session early due to an apparent right knee injury, Ryan McFadden of ESPN reports.
The Raiders have yet to not provide any further details on the severity of Jeanty's injury, but if the 2025 first-rounder misses any time, Washington's fantasy stock would see a major bump. McFadden notes that Washington, who has had a strong training camp, was alternating starting reps with Jeanty before the injury occurred. Also in the team's backfield depth mix are Dylan Laube, Dare Ogunbowale and Roman Hemby.
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Raiders' Mike Washington: Produces another long run
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Washington rushed nine times for 56 yards while catching two of three targets for 18 yards in Thursday's 22-20 preseason win over the Texans.
Washington has churned out an impressive 119 yards on 15 carries through two preseason games, averaging a robust 7.9 yards per carry thanks to a 56-yard run against the Cardinals in the previous game and a 33-yard run Thursday against the Texans. The rookie fourth-round pick out of Arkansas has shown nice burst in establishing himself as the favorite to back up Ashton Jeanty heading into Vegas' preseason finale against the 49ers next Thursday.
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Raiders' Mike Washington: Unofficial No. 2 back
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Washington is listed as the No. 2 running back on the Raiders' unofficial depth chart, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Monday's unofficial depth chart shows that Washington has the edge for the backup role after training camp. The fourth-round rookie is competing with Dylan Laube, Dare Ogunbowale and Roman Hemby to serve as the main complementary option behind Ashton Jeanty. If Washington can continue to impress in practice and preseason, he may be a good fantasy handcuff to Jeanty in 2026. The presence of star center Tyler Linderbaum, who signed as a free agent this offseason, should also benefit any running backs that take snaps for the Raiders during the coming season.
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Raiders' Mike Washington: Goes to Las Vegas
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The Raiders selected Washington in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 122nd overall.
Washington saw limited opportunities at Buffalo and New Mexico State, but he burst onto the scene during his fifth and final year in college at Arkansas. He was named to the All-SEC Second-Team in 2025 after turning 167 carries into 1,070 yards (6.40 YPC) and eight touchdowns while adding 28 catches for 226 yards and a score across 12 games. Washington is a big back with a 6-foot-1, 223-pound frame that he used to full effect as a punishing, downhill runner, which should lead to a fair amount of touches on early downs. Ashton Jeanty is still the lead back for the Raiders, but Washington seemingly brings the thunder to the team's backfield that complements the lightning of Jeanty.
