NFL
RecapAshton Jeanty rushed two times for nine yards in the Raiders’ Week 8 win over the Jets, adding three receptions for 64 yards.
Jeanty was benched as the Raiders’ early-down back, getting out-carried 25-2 by Mike Washington Jr. For his part, Washington was not effective, churning up just 3.3 yards per carry and getting stoned on a bevy of goal-line handles. Speaking afterward, coach Klint Kubiak said the move was his call but that "(Jeanty) is still going to be a big part of our team.” Jeanty made waves during the week when he said the Jets could not tackle. Rather than let the struggling second-year back prove his theory on the field, the Raiders made the takedown themselves for the Jets. While it’s clear Jeanty is now in a true timeshare, we do also take Kubiak at his word that Jeanty will remain a “big part” of the team, almost certainly with double-digit carries more weeks than not. The question is if he can keep catching enough passes to hold RB2 status. Washington is now the preferred short-yardage back, but his failures in Sunday’s highest-leverage spots could keep the door ajar for Jeanty.