Raiders' Ashton Jeanty runs over 49ers, finds end zone in bounce-back outing: 'I've arrived'

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2025-08-17

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After finishing with negative rushing yardage in his Raiders debut, Ashton Jeanty had a decidedly more positive outing in his first game at Allegiant Stadium.

Jeanty, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, saw limited action in his second preseason game but made the most of it, racking up 35 yards and a go-ahead touchdown on eight touches in two drives (14 offensive snaps).

The rookie finished with +6 rushing yards over expected, a far cry from last week’s game-low -7 mark, per Next Gen Stats.

After getting stuffed in Seattle, Jeanty felt much better after making 49ers opponents miss and bowling them over in Saturday’s game, a 22-19 Raiders defeat.

“I’ve arrived,” Jeanty said, via ESPN’s Ryan McFadden, “and it’s time to keep going and make plays for this team.”

Jeanty wasn’t the only one revved up by his brief bounce-back performance.

“It fires me up just seeing the way he runs,” Raiders quarterback Geno Smith said of the rookie. “He’s running through people, and he’s not shying away from contact.

“He’s going to be a special player.”

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Jeanty tallied three runs of at least 5 yards, displaying an ability to easily cut his way to the second level. But his most notable rush came on Las Vegas’ second drive, when Jeanty, already six yards past the line of scrimmage, thumped oncoming tackler Deommodore Lenoir, ran around him and then carried Ji’Ayir Brown for another yard or two for a 13-yard pickup.

It was the type of play that typified why Jeanty was a must-have pick at the top of the draft, even as running backs continue to be devalued in the NFL.

“Jeanty looked tough as hell,” said Pete Carroll, who made the Heisman Trophy finalist his first draft pick as Raiders head coach.

Whether the RB plays in Las Vegas’ preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals is yet to be determined. Jeanty had to come off the field for a few snaps with a stinger. It was a minor scare that could keep the rookie on the sideline ahead of the Raiders’ Week 1 opener at New England.

More preseason snaps or not, Jeanty has already made mark on this team and league. Ask his teammates — or Lenoir.