When Ashton Jeanty went down in practice during training camp, the initial fear was the worst. The first news back from that was good, because it wasn't a serious knee injury, but rather a sprained ankle. Even then, ankles can be tricky. The severity can vary quite a bit, and with three weeks until the start of the season, there was uncertainty whether the second-year back would be ready to go.
The fears of the ankle severity were put to bed when not only was he active for the season opener, but had a put up 103 yards on 23 carries. Since then those fears have been jolted out awake like a fire drill in the middle of the night.
In the three games since then, he has averaged under three yards per carry, including Sunday against the Chiefs where
Jeanty had 58 yards on 15 carries and at one point hobbled off the field in pain and stayed sidelined for a time.
“I'm feeling all right," Jeanty said after the game. "I mean, just gotta get back to work, and keep rehabbing and keep making it stronger.”
It can be difficult to rehab an injury when he constantly running on it. The fact that this is the second game in a row he's had obvious issues with his ankles shows that without a doubt. Week two in LA he had his worst game, averaging just 2.3 yards per carry, and last week in New Orleans he was clearly struggling on it and had to get it taped up.
In that regard, I guess his 3.9 yards per carry against the Chiefs is a step up. And there were flashes, such as his 19-yard run and his 28-yard catch and run.
“It's getting stronger, and I feel like I'm gonna be 100% real soon," Jeanty added.
The Raiders are really hoping that's true. Because they really need him. The Patriots are up next and they are beatable, but it may take more of a contribution from their former sixth overall pick to do it.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty injured ankle still not right and it shows
