HENDERSON, Nev. -- Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty returned to practice Wednesday, providing optimism about his availability for Sunday's season opener against the Miami Dolphins.
Jeanty practiced for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury in training camp Aug. 23. Jeanty was helped off the field after he landed awkwardly on the turf grass inside the practice facility while diving for a low pass thrown by veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak had been mum on Jeanty's status until last week, when he said he was optimistic that the second-year running back would play in Week 1. General manager John Spytek also hinted that Jeanty could return sooner than expected.
If Jeanty indeed plays against Miami, that would be a major boost to the Raiders' offense with tight end Brock Bowers expected to miss a game or two due to having a meniscus trim Tuesday.
Additionally, the Raiders want to lean heavily on the run game this year and are hoping to have a solid one-two punch in the backfield with Jeanty and rookie Mike Washington Jr., who stood out during training camp and in the preseason.
Jeanty totaled 1,321 yards from scrimmage, including 975 rushing yards, despite unstable offensive line play as a rookie. Meanwhile, Washington -- a fourth-round pick -- had 23 carries for 168 yards (7.3 per attempt) in three preseason games. He had four carries for 10-plus yards.