Jeanty Cleared to Play Week 1 vs Dolphins

Ashton Jeanty is off the Las Vegas Raiders' final injury report and will play in Sunday's season opener against the Miami Dolphins after practicing fully all week. The ankle sprain that dropped him in an Aug. 23 practice is three weeks old, and Friday's report carried no game status. Fantasy boards that parked him for the scare can put the RB1 chip back on the table.

Jeanty told reporters he felt "really good" getting back with the group and said he is "super excited" to face Miami. Coach Klint Kubiak's staff listed him as a full participant Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. That is the cleanest stamp a Week 1 back can get after a mid-camp scare.

Ankle scare, full-go stamp

The initial hit looked ugly enough that teammates took a knee. Jeanty said he knew quickly it was not catastrophic, and the early label landed as a low-ankle sprain. He still missed roughly three weeks of live work. Mike Washington carved out a rotational role in that window, which matters for snap distribution even with Jeanty back as the clear lead back.

NBC Sports and NFL.com both framed Friday the same way: no designation, set to play, lead role intact. Bowers is the bigger absence on the Raiders sheet after a meniscus trim that is expected to cost only 1-2 weeks. Jeanty being ready keeps Las Vegas from opening without its top two skill pieces at once.

Dolphins matchup, Kubiak year one

Miami allowed plenty of production to opposing backs last season, which is why fantasy rooms treated Jeanty as an RB1 even through the limited week. Sunday is still a debut under Kubiak's offense for the 2026 open, and Washington's presence means the backfield will not be a pure monopoly. Expect Jeanty to own early downs and receiving work while Washington stays involved.

Raiders fans wanted the ankle cleared before Kickoff Weekend. They got the blank injury report and the smile. Dolphins fans get a healthy Jeanty on the other sideline. Fantasy managers should start him and keep an eye on how often Washington spells him after halftime.

Three weeks ago the practice field looked like a season on hold. Friday it looked like a Week 1 feature back. Jeanty popped up from that Aug. 23 pile with relief. Now he gets the opener. That is the kind of turnaround Raiders fans will take every September.

Start him with confidence, budget a few change-of-pace snaps for Washington, and remember Bowers is out. The Raiders offense still runs through Jeanty when the ankle holds. Sunday is the first real test.