Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, saw his workload shrink dramatically in the team's 38-33 Week 8 win over the New York Jets. Jeanty carried the ball just twice and finished with five total touches — the fewest of his career — while fellow back Mike Washington Jr. logged a career-high 38 snaps and made his first start of the season over Jeanty.
Head coach Klint Kubiak described the snap distribution as his decision, saying, "That's my call... We just wanted to give Mike a few more opportunities today. I think both of those guys are going to be a huge part of our rushing and passing success moving forward." Kubiak insisted the reduced role was not disciplinary, despite Jeanty's pregame comments criticizing the Jets' tackling, which drew backlash from former Jets coach Rex Ryan.
Jeanty's decline extends beyond a single game. After a Week 1 performance of 102 rushing yards, 45 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 29 touches, his carries have decreased weekly. He averages 0.6 fewer yards per carry in 2026 compared to his rookie season and is on pace to fall short of last year's five rushing touchdowns despite playing in a higher-scoring offense. His current yards-per-carry sits at 3.1.
The Raiders' offensive system under Kubiak, who has a history of splitting carries, may clash with Jeanty's running style. The coach compared the situation to his time with the Seattle Seahawks, where he used Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet as co-starters. Washington could assume a Charbonnet-like role while Jeanty fits the Walker mold, but Jeanty's efficiency must improve to maintain a significant rushing workload.
Jeanty said he was told in advance he would receive fewer touches in Week 8 but did not know if his comments were the reason. "We won," Jeanty told ESPN. "It doesn't matter how I feel about how [many] times I get the ball. Whatever it takes for the team to win, I just want to win." The coaching staff plans to review film and has expressed belief in both runners, leaving Jeanty's future role — potentially more as a receiving specialist — uncertain.
