"Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." -- Dr. Ian Malcolm (played by Jeff Goldblum) in Jurassic Park.
That kinda seems like it applies to the Raiders and Ashton Jeanty lately. He has taken the field every game this season, but, man, it doesn't really look like he should be out there.
This week he added a foot injury to his ankle injury, making him questionable for the game. They worked it out before the game, he said he was good to go, and so he went.
The result was putting picking up just 27 yards on ten carries (2.7 yards per carry), below his already low season average.
After the game, head coach Klint Kubiak admitted his second-year back is not nearly at his best.
“Yes, Ashton
is beat up," said Kubiak. "And it's a testament to how tough he is that he's out there playing today for his teammates.”
I mean, yeah, sort of. I guess. But what if his toughness actually means he is hurting his team?
Jeanty was already averaging just 3.4 yards per carry on the season. That's down from the 3.7 yards per carry he had last season which was considered a disappointment and was largely blamed on the issues with the blocking scheme and coaching. So, it's saying something that he can't seem to clear that low bar. And this performance is going to drop his average even farther.
It's worth noting that Jeanty's backup Mike Washington is averaging five yards per carry on the season.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Klint Kubiak admits RB Ashton Jeanty 'beat up', should Raiders sit him?
