Draws praise from coach
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said Tuesday that Washington has "done a great job of growing up real fast," Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site reports.
Washington was selected by Las Vegas in the fourth round of April's NFL Draft and has already turned heads in the team's first two preseason games, rushing for 119 yards on 15 carries (7.9 YPC) while adding two catches on four targets for 18 yards. The rookie's name became a hot topic in the fantasy community this past weekend when Ashton Jeanty went down with an ankle injury during practice, though the latest news is that he's nursing a low-ankle sprain and isn't looking at a long-term absence. It appears Jeanty could be ready to face the Dolphins in Week 1 on Sunday, Sept. 13, but if the ankle injury persists and keeps him out of the regular-season opener, Washington would be the lead candidate to take over No. 1 RB duties for that contest.
More Las Vegas Raiders Fantasy Football News
Ashton Jeanty
Believed to be nursing low-ankle sprain
The Raiders are optimistic that the injury Jeanty sustained during practice Sunday is a "more low than high" ankle sprain and not a long-term concern, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Kirk Cousins
Listed atop depth chart
Cousins is listed as the Raiders' top quarterback on the unofficial depth chart for Thursday's preseason game versus the 49ers, according to the team's official site.
Ashton Jeanty
Sits out Monday's practice
Jeanty (ankle) didn't participant in practice Monday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Ashton Jeanty
Believed to have sprained ankle
Jeanty is believed to have a sprained ankle that "is not considered a long-term injury," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Mike Washington Jr.
Sees extra work after Jeanty injury
Washington took most of the carries after Ashton Jeanty (knee) left Sunday's practice, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Mike Washington Jr.
Takes first-team reps after Jeanty exits practice
Washington took the rest of the first-team RB reps in Sunday's practice after Ashton Jeanty left the session early due to an apparent right knee injury, Ryan McFadden of ESPN reports.
Ashton Jeanty
Leaves practice with leg injury
Jeanty left Sunday's practice with an injury and could not put pressure on his leg while leaving the field, Vincent Bonsignore of the California Post reports.
Michael Mayer
Sits out Thursday
Mayer did not play in Thursday's 22-20 preseason loss to the Texans.
Ashton Jeanty
Sits out Thursday's preseason game
Jeanty was among the Raiders starters who rested in Thursday's 22-20 preseason win over Houston, according to The Associated Press.
Fernando Mendoza
Kubiak declines to name Week 1 starter
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak indicated Thursday that he is not yet ready to name a starting quarterback (between Kirk Cousins and Mendoza) ahead of Week 1, Ryan McFadden of ESPN reports.