The Las Vegas Raiders are buzzing about their franchise back - and they've got every reason to be. All signs point to rookie sensation Ashton Jeanty being a full go when the Raiders open the 2026 season against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on September 13. The team hasn't made an official announcement yet, but the tea leaves are overwhelmingly positive. Here's why Raiders Nation should be fired up.
The most concrete signal came in late August when the Raiders shipped veteran running back Zamir White to the Chicago Bears for a 2027 conditional sixth-round pick. That move wasn't just about shedding salary - it was a declaration. The Raiders are handing the keys to Jeanty, the 6th overall pick out of Boise State and the 2025 Heisman Trophy runner-up. You don't trade your veteran insurance policy unless you're confident the rookie is ready to carry the load.
Adding to the optimism is what Jeanty didn't do: he was never placed on the PUP list. That means the Raiders could have activated him at any point during the preseason, and the fact that they didn't feels like a quiet confidence vote. His low-ankle sprain, suffered during the preseason finale, has responded well to treatment, and he's been fully cleared for straight-line running. Beat writers from both the Las Vegas Review-Journal and The Athletic have reported internal optimism has remained sky-high since late last week.
The real answer comes Wednesday when the Raiders release their first official injury report. But if you're looking for a spoiler: don't be shocked to see Jeanty listed as a full participant today.
The Preseason Flashes That Have Everyone Talking
Before the ankle scare, Jeanty was doing exactly what the Raiders hoped when they drafted him. In limited preseason action, he looked like the most explosive player on the field:
| Game | Carries | Yards | Touchdowns | Yards/Carry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preseason Game 1 | 5 | 42 | 0 | 8.4 |
| Preseason Game 2 | 12 | 88 | 1 | 7.3 |
| Total | 17 | 130 | 1 | 7.6 |
That's 130 yards on just 17 carries - a 7.6 yards-per-carry average that should make Chargers defensive coordinators lose sleep.
📊 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in his final collegiate season at Boise State - The production translates, and the Raiders' offensive line knows it.
Remember, this is a guy who rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in his final collegiate season at Boise State. The talent translates, and the Raiders' offensive line knows it.
Why the Raiders Are All-In on Jeanty for Week 1
The betting markets have been whispering for days, and smart money is listening. DraftKings and FanDuel have both moved the Raiders from +3.5 to +2.5 underdogs against the Chargers since Thursday. That's a significant shift in a rivalry game, and it's directly tied to two factors: growing confidence in Jeanty's availability and the Zamir White trade consolidating the backfield workload.
The Raiders didn't just trade White to clear cap space. They traded him to make a statement: this is Jeanty's backfield, period. No committee, no veteran splitting carries, no second-guessing. If Jeanty is healthy enough to play, the Raiders want him getting 20-plus touches against a Chargers defense that struggled against the run in 2025.
The only thing standing between Jeanty and a massive Week 1 workload is today's practice. If he practices at full speed - and every indication suggests he will - he'll be ready to roll this Sunday.
📊 Raiders moved from +3.5 to +2.5 underdogs since Thursday - Sharp money is betting on Jeanty's availability and a consolidated backfield workload.
