Forget all the chatter about Ashton Jeanty sitting out Sunday’s game against the Bills. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak dropped the hammer on Wednesday, flat out stating his running back *will* play. The rumor mill was spinning, suggesting the Raiders were actually thinking about benching Jeanty to let those nagging ankle and foot injuries fully heal. But Kubiak, talking to Sam Warren of TheAthletic.com, kept it super concise. His take? “He’s playing.” That’s it. Two words that shut down all the noise.
The Injury Saga and the Speculation
We all know Jeanty has been battling. His ankle issue goes way back to training camp, and then a foot injury popped up on the Week 5 report. It’s been a tough stretch for the guy. Last Thursday, he was limited in practice, then didn’t even practice at all last Friday. Heading into their last game, it was a total game-time decision if he’d even suit up. But he did. Jeanty ended up playing 32 of 60 snaps, grinding out 10 carries for 27 yards and adding three catches for 50 yards. Solid effort for a guy clearly not 100 percent. The fact there was even talk about sitting him this week tells you just how much those injuries have been affecting him.
Kubiak’s Firm Stance and Optimistic Outlook
So, when Kubiak just flat-out said “He’s playing,” it was a direct rebuttal to all that chatter. And he didn’t stop there. He followed up with a vibe check that should have Raiders fans feeling a lot better. Kubiak said Jeanty “is starting to feel a lot better physically.” That’s huge, right? It’s not just that he’s playing *through* it, but that he’s actually making progress. The coach even added, “I’m excited about giving him even more reps in practice and more full-speed reps.” That’s the sound of a coach ready to unleash his guy, not hold him back.
Jeanty’s season stats show how valuable he is when he’s out there, even if he’s not at full speed. He’s stacked up 88 carries for 291 yards, plus 22 catches for 215 yards and two touchdowns. That’s a solid chunk of change in the offense. Having him back feeling better and getting more reps? That’s a game-changer for their ground game and pass-catching out of the backfield.
Heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Bills, all eyes will be on Jeanty. Can he truly take those “more full-speed reps” and translate them into a bigger, more explosive performance? We’re about to find out, and you know everyone will be watching to see if Kubiak’s confidence pays off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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