Ashton Jeanty, the Las Vegas Raiders' star running back and one of the most electrifying young playmakers in the NFL, was helped off the practice field on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, after suffering a sprained right ankle in a scary, awkward sequence. The sight of the second-year back unable to put any weight on his leg cast an immediate, uneasy silence over the Raiders' training complex in Henderson, Nevada — and left teammates dropping to a knee in prayer just weeks before the regular season. Here is everything we know about the Ashton Jeanty injury, what it means for the Raiders, and what comes next.
What Happened to Ashton Jeanty: A Frightening Practice Moment
The injury unfolded during a routine Sunday practice, with multiple reports describing a non-contact play in which Jeanty went down awkwardly and stayed on the turf. According to the New York Post, an ominous silence fell over Raiders practice as Jeanty was helped off the field without being able to put any weight on his injured right leg. ESPN's Ryan McFadden reported that the entire Raiders team gathered around their young teammate, took a knee, and said a prayer before play resumed.
"Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty was helped off the practice field today after this," ESPN insider Adam Schefter posted shortly after the incident, capturing the concern that rippled through the franchise and its fan base.
Within hours, the initial fear of a catastrophic, season-ending injury began to ease. Schefter and NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport both reported Sunday night that Jeanty is believed to have suffered a sprained ankle rather than a more severe structural injury, and USA Today reported the injury is "not considered to be a long-term issue." However, the Raiders have not yet confirmed whether it is a high-ankle or low-ankle sprain — a distinction that will ultimately determine how much time the star back misses.
From Boise State Phenom to Raiders Franchise Cornerstone
Jeanty's rise has made him one of the most closely watched running backs in football. At Boise State, the 5-foot-8, 211-pound back played 40 games over three seasons (2022-24), piling up 4,769 rushing yards and rewriting the program record book. His 2024 campaign was historic: he started all 14 games and finished with 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns on 374 carries, breaking school records in all three categories while leading the Broncos to a 12-1 record and a Mountain West title.
Along the way, Jeanty earned back-to-back Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2023 and 2024, was a two-time All-American, and claimed both the Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award in 2024 while finishing as the Heisman Trophy runner-up. That résumé made him the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — the highest selection in Boise State history — when the Raiders grabbed him on April 24, 2025.
As a rookie in 2025, Jeanty rushed for 975 yards and quickly became the focal point of the Las Vegas offense. Entering his second season, the team had publicly pointed to him as a centerpiece of its rebuild and a player taking on a greater leadership role. The stakes are even higher this year given the franchise's offseason upheaval: the Raiders moved on from Pete Carroll following the 2025 campaign and turned to Klint Kubiak as their first-year head coach. Jeanty's health was always going to be central to Kubiak's debut season — which makes Sunday's scare that much more significant.
Why the Jeanty Injury Looms So Large for the Raiders
The difference between a high-ankle and low-ankle sprain is substantial, and it explains why the Raiders have been measured with their early messaging. Sprained ankles generally take anywhere from one to six weeks to heal depending on severity. Low-ankle sprains typically carry recovery windows measured in days to a couple of weeks, often allowing a player to return around or shortly after the season opener. High-ankle sprains — which involve the ligaments above the ankle joint — are notoriously slower to heal and can sideline a player for several weeks or more; in a worst-case scenario, a high-ankle sprain could cost a running back three or four games.
For a back built on sudden cuts, violent burst, and contact balance, an ankle injury cuts directly against the traits that made Jeanty a Heisman finalist. NFL insiders noted Sunday night that the Raiders were still uncertain how much time Jeanty will miss, leaving open the possibility that he could be limited for the opener or held out of early-season action as a precaution.
The timing compounds the concern. With the regular season fast approaching, the Raiders have little margin to adjust their offensive identity. Jeanty entered camp as the clear engine of the ground game, and any extended absence would shift additional weight onto the passing attack and the depth chart at running back, where backup Mike Washington and others would be asked to step up. For a franchise rebuilding under a new staff, protecting its most valuable offensive asset will likely outweigh any temptation to rush him back.
Jeanty's Current Status: What the Latest Updates Say
As of Monday, Aug. 24, the confirmed diagnosis is a sprained ankle. Schefter and Rapoport were the first to report the diagnosis on Sunday night, and NBC Sports' ProFootballTalk later confirmed that Jeanty "was diagnosed with a sprained ankle" following the injury to his right leg. The team itself did not immediately provide information after practice.
What remains unknown is the severity. Reports indicate the Raiders are still determining whether the sprain is high or low, and the organization has not provided an official timetable for his return. Further imaging and evaluation are expected to clarify the picture in the coming days. For now, the most important takeaway is that Jeanty appears to have avoided the worst-case scenario of a major ligament or structural injury.
What's Next for Jeanty and the Raiders Before Week 1
The Raiders' regular-season opener doubles as their home opener, and it arrives in early September with no shortage of storylines attached. The immediate focus will be on Jeanty's evaluation results and how quickly he responds to treatment. If the ankle checks out as a low-grade sprain, a return for Week 1 remains within reach. If it is a high-ankle sprain, the Raiders will likely prioritize long-term health over a fast comeback and lean on the rest of the backfield to open the season.
In the meantime, expect Kubiak and the coaching staff to manage Jeanty's workload carefully through the final stretch of training camp. The organization has every incentive to be conservative with a player it views as a long-term franchise pillar — and after a frightening Sunday, the entire building is likely breathing a cautious sigh of relief.
The Bottom Line: Key Facts on the Ashton Jeanty Injury
- Ashton Jeanty suffered a sprained right ankle during practice on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, and was helped off the field without putting weight on his leg.
- Teammates gathered around him, took a knee, and said a prayer before play resumed.
- ESPN and NFL Network reported a sprained-ankle diagnosis, with the injury not considered a long-term issue.
- The Raiders are still determining whether it is a high- or low-ankle sprain and have not set a return timetable.
- Jeanty, the sixth overall pick in 2025 out of Boise State and a 2024 Heisman runner-up, rushed for 975 yards as a rookie and is central to first-year head coach Klint Kubiak's plans.
