The Las Vegas Raiders appeared to send a message to running back Ashton Jeanty through his usage in Sunday's game against the Jets, limiting his touches after he questioned the willingness of some Jets defenders to tackle.
Mike Washington received the first seven handoffs for the Raiders, while Jeanty did not get his first touch until the second quarter, a reception on a pass play. His first carry came on the same drive and gained only 1 yard. This discrepancy in early playing time, after Jeanty's critical comments, has led to speculation about whether it constitutes unofficial discipline.
Jeanty had previously stated, "Couple guys out there that don’t really want to tackle," when asked about the Jets' defense and the Raiders' potential to improve their struggling run game. He expressed confidence that the team could exploit this perceived weakness. These remarks amplified the attention on a game where the Raiders aimed to address their own offensive shortcomings, particularly in their running game.
While the team has not confirmed the reason for the reduced workload, the early distribution of carries suggests a deliberate decision. Coach Klint Kubiak will likely need to clarify whether the rotation was a disciplinary measure, a tactical choice, or based on other considerations.
For the initial portion of the game, Washington was the primary ball carrier, handling all six rushing attempts by Raiders running backs before Jeanty received his first carry. The contrast in opportunities was notable, given Jeanty's pre-game comments about exploiting the Jets' defense. Whether this usage pattern persists throughout the game remains to be seen, but the early adjustments suggest a potential response to Jeanty's public statements.