Raiders rookie Washington Jr. poised for expanded role amid Jeanty's injuries

The Las Vegas Raiders may need to lean heavily on rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. as starter Ashton Jeanty continues to battle foot and ankle injuries. Jeanty missed Friday's practice, casting doubt on his availability for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots.

Even if Jeanty is able to play, his limited participation throughout the week suggests his workload might be restricted. This situation puts Washington Jr. in line for a significant increase in touches and responsibility.

Washington Jr. has shown promise during the preseason and the early part of the regular season. In the preseason, he rushed for 168 yards on 23 carries, averaging 7.3 yards per attempt, including a 53-yard run. This season, he has accumulated 120 yards on 24 carries with one touchdown, averaging 5 yards per carry.

The Raiders' rushing attack has struggled, averaging just 3.1 yards per carry and managing only 43 rushing yards on 20 attempts in their recent loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The team needs an improvement in their ground game, regardless of who is carrying the ball.

While Washington Jr. has demonstrated big-play ability, transitioning from a backup role to handling a substantial portion of the offense presents new challenges. He will need to prove his ability to protect quarterback Kirk Cousins, secure the football, make correct reads, and be reliable in pass-catching situations.

Coach Klint Kubiak faces the challenge of managing Jeanty's injury while potentially integrating Washington Jr. more fully into the offense. With upcoming games against Buffalo and the Los Angeles Rams, the Raiders need depth and reliability at the running back position.

Washington Jr.'s opportunity to showcase his capabilities appears to be imminent, regardless of Jeanty's status for Sunday's game. The rookie is preparing for a potentially larger role that could define his place on the team moving forward.