Mike Washington leads Raiders rushing in 38-33 win over Jets

Mike Washington assumes lead running role for Las Vegas Raiders

Mike Washington carried the offensive load for the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, recording a season-high 25 carries for 83 yards during a 38-33 victory over the New York Jets. This sudden shift in the backfield comes as Washington has emerged as the team’s primary tailback, a development that carries significant weight given that Ashton Jeanty was selected as the No. 6 overall pick just last season. While Jeanty saw only two carries in the contest, Washington handled 60 percent of the team’s snaps, signaling a major change in how the Raiders are managing their rushing attack.

The shift in personnel reflects a broader trend of the Raiders’ 2026 draft class stepping into high-leverage roles due to injuries and performance metrics. According to a report from Silver And Black Pride, eight of the team’s 10 draft picks are currently part of the 53-man roster, and the recent win in New York highlighted exactly how much the roster’s depth relies on these young players.

Defensive adjustments follow injury to Darien Porter

The Raiders’ defensive structure underwent immediate pressure following a groin injury to starting outside cornerback Darien Porter. The injury forced a rotation in the secondary that saw the team’s fourth-round pick see his most extensive action of the season. Previously limited to just two games of defensive play, the rookie played 53 percent of the defensive snaps and added 16 snaps on special teams.

The vacancy at cornerback has also opened a competitive window for the team’s fifth-round safety. While the player struggled with some consistency, giving up several plays during the game, he managed to record a significant play late in the contest. He is expected to continue competing for increased playing time alongside the fourth-round pick if Porter remains sidelined.

The defensive unit’s reliability is currently being tested by these forced rotations. The impact of these shifts is visible in the following breakdown of recent rookie involvement:

Player Role/Draft Position	Snap Share / Key Stat	Context
Second-round pick (Defense)	64 defensive snaps	Recorded a pass breakup
Fourth-round pick (Defense)	53% defensive snaps	Increased role due to Porter injury
Fourth-round pick (Offense)	60% offensive snaps	Season-high 25 carries

Stability on the offensive line

While the secondary faces volatility, the interior of the offensive line appears to be finding its footing. The Raiders’ third-round pick made his professional starting debut on Sunday, playing every single offensive snap. Coach Klint Kubiak has already indicated that the rookie will maintain his position at right guard for the upcoming matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

This stability at guard provides a necessary foundation for a backfield that is currently in flux. As Washington takes on more responsibility, the ability of the offensive line to hold its shape will determine if his workload remains sustainable or if the team will eventually pivot back to Jeanty.

Roster uncertainty for depth players

Not every recent performance has translated into job security. The team’s sixth-round pick was a healthy scratch for the first time this season, leading to questions regarding his future on the active roster if he continues to be excluded from game-day lineups. Similarly, the fifth-round safety has been inactive for seven of the first eight games, highlighting a lack of availability that complicates the team’s depth chart.

The Raiders now head into Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers with a roster that is increasingly defined by its draft class. The outcome of this next game will likely provide more clarity on whether Washington’s expanded role is a temporary necessity or a permanent tactical shift.