Ashton Jeanty is “still on the mend” from his ankle injury, with Raiders HC Klint Kubiak offering no meaningful update while saying the team is counting on its RB1 for Week 1. That is not exactly a medical clearance, and fantasy managers may not get a definitive answer until Las Vegas begins Week 1 preparations.
Meanwhile, rookie Mike Washington has turned 23 preseason carries into 168 yards and 7.3 yards per carry, putting himself on the contingency radar if Jeanty cannot go. Jeanty remains the prize, but Washington is becoming the insurance policy worth drafting before the injury news forces his price higher. PlayerProfiler currently has Jeanty as RB3 while Mike Washington climbs to RB31.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube could be in line...
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Dylan Laube is making...
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube has been ...
The Raiders gathered on the field after Ashton Jeanty suffered a suspected major right leg injury, putting his 2026 workhorse in serious jeopardy. While Las Vegas awaits definitive imaging on the structural damage, rookie backup Mike Washington Jr. steps directly into lead-back duties.
At 6-foot-1 and 223 pounds with an 84th-percentile 11.0-percent College Target Share, Washington possesses the size and receiving chops to absorb instant bellcow volume if Jeanty misses regular season games. Dylan Laube would take on some of the passing down work and should be rostered in all dynasty league formats.
UPDATE: Ian Rapoport is now reporting that Jeanty suffered a sprained ankle that is not considered a “long-term” injury.
The Las Vegas Raiders already share the worst record in the NFL, and their season continues to go from bad to worse. Alexander Mattison and Zamir White, the Raiders leading running backs on the depth chart, are both designated as “Doubtful” for their visit to Denver in Week 12.
Mattison suffered an ankle injury against Miami in Week 11 and White straind his quadriceps in the same game.
If neither back can play, the Raiders will be left with veteran Ameer Abdullah and rookie Dylan Laube as their top 2 options as the Raiders face the 10th stingiest defense against running backs in fantasy. Whichever tandem Vegas is able to roll out should only be used in emergency or in the deepest of leagues.
It’s training camp and the superlatives are flying. Rookies are impressing their new coaching staffs and Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube is no exception. Head coach Antonio Pierce said that Laube has surprising speed and plays tough. He noted that with Laube’s ability to catch the ball and make plays after the catch, he is slated to see time as a possible Raiders’ 3rd down option in the backfield and will contribute on Special Teams. He’s currently listed on the Raiders’ depth chart as RB4 and as the primary KR/PR.
Laube was drafted in the 6th round in April, and the draft profile noted his “do everything” abilities at the University of New Hampshire. His stature and statistics have drawn player comps to Danny Woodhead and Austin Ekeler. Laube recorded 1758 yards from scrimmage as a Junior at UNH and was responsible for kick return duties. At 5-10/206, Laube carries the coveted 30 BMI that alludes to long-term success as a running back in the NFL.
Laube is gaining steam as a late-round sleeper in all formats and is currently ranked as Player Profiler’s rookie RB10 and RB52 overall in Dynasty Rebuilds. At that price, an early investment could pay huge dividends if Laube passes 31 year-old Ameer Abdullah on the depth chart and inefficient Alexander Mattison on the depth chart to begin the season.
The Las Vegas Raiders have drafted former New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube with the 208th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Laube had a great season with the Wildcats in to 2023 showing off his dual-threat capabililies rushing for 749 yards on the ground and adding another 699 through the air and added 18 total touchdowns.
Laube will jump into a Raiders RB room that is relatively unproven with Zamir White and newly acquired Alexander Mattison leading the charge. There is an opportunity for Laube and receiving prowess to work his way onto the Raiders 53-man roster and contribute out of the gate with a good training camp.
