The Las Vegas Raiders scored a big medical win Sunday with the latest update on running back Ashton Jeanty.
The Raiders running back appeared to suffer a serious injury during Sunday’s practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, Nev. Jeanty was unable to put any weight on his right leg after making a diving play on a low throw from quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Jeanty had to be assisted off the field by medical staff, as his Raiders teammates, fearing the worst, all took a knee and said a prayer in solidarity.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter eased Raiders fans’ worries with his follow-up report late Sunday night. Per Schefter, Jeanty was only diagnosed with a sprained ankle. While the Raiders remain “unsure” about Jeanty’s return timetable, the issue is “not considered a long-term injury.”
The favorable diagnosis may have spared the Raiders from having a potentially all-time terrible run offense this coming season. Las Vegas was already dead last in several rushing categories last year, with Jeanty virtually operating as a one-man show during his rookie campaign.
Jeanty accounted for 975 of the Raiders’ 1,317 rushing yards last season and all 5 of the team’s rushing touchdowns on 266 carries. Quarterback Geno Smith had the second-most rushing yards on the team with 109 on 41 carries.
