Kubiak Optimistic Jeanty Plays Week 1

Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said yes when asked if he is optimistic Ashton Jeanty will play Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins, even after the running back sat out Wednesday's practice with a sprained ankle, per NBC Sports. Kubiak smiled through the answer. Fantasy managers have been waiting on a sentence that is not just "on the mend."

Week 1 is Sept. 13 in Las Vegas. Jeanty has not practiced since the ankle sprain on Aug. 23. A "yes" from the head coach is not a snap count, but it is the first time this week the Raiders sounded like they expect their lead back on the field against Miami instead of watching from the sideline.

Still ramping, not declared out

"He's continuing to improve," Kubiak said, per Yahoo Sports. "You guys saw him out there yesterday. He's still on the mend." That Tuesday sighting is the breadcrumb. Wednesday was a rest day, not a new scare. The original injury looked brutal when trainers helped Jeanty off the field in August. It was later diagnosed as a sprained ankle, which is why this conversation is about Week 1 availability instead of a longer stash on injured reserve.

Jeanty was the No. 6 overall pick in 2025. As a rookie he posted 1,321 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns, per Yahoo. That is the workload Las Vegas built the offense around. If he cannot go, rookie Mike Washington Jr. is the named starter, per a Wednesday report on Kubiak's presser. NBC Sports already told fantasy managers to stash Washington in case this drags another week.

What Week 1 vs Miami actually is

The Raiders host the Dolphins on Sept. 13. If Jeanty is not practicing in full next week, NBC Sports flagged him as a real game-time call. Optimistic is not active. Active is a practice week that includes him in team drills, then a true game-day decision. Until that happens, the backfield is Jeanty if the ankle cooperates and Washington if it does not. The Dolphins are the first measuring stick of the Kubiak era with Kirk Cousins named the Week 1 quarterback. Las Vegas wants both of those pieces on the field, not a committee night in the opener.

For the first version of this scare already on Smacktok, see Jeanty's August ankle sprain. Another Week 1 backfield that just got worse is Isiah Pacheco landing on IR in Detroit. Las Vegas is not there. Kubiak said yes. Now the Raiders have to put Jeanty back in a helmet before Miami shows up.