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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Raiders appear to be delivering a message to Ashton Jeanty through his playing time.
After the running back questioned the willingness of some Jets defenders to tackle earlier this week, the Silver and Black opened Sunday’s game by giving Mike Washington the first seven handoffs.
Jeanty did not get his first touch until catching a pass on the Raiders’ first possession of the second quarter. His first carry came on the same drive, going for just 1 yard.
Whether that amounts to unofficial discipline has not been confirmed. But the early distribution of work is conspicuous, considering Jeanty’s place in the offense and the attention his comments generated ahead of the game.
For now, the message appears to be coming through the rotation rather than a public announcement.
Jeanty supplied the backdrop when he was asked what he saw in the Jets’ defense that gave him confidence the Raiders could get their struggling running game going.
“Couple guys out there that don’t really want to tackle,” Jeanty said. “But I’m not gonna say any names.”
He also expressed confidence that the Raiders could take advantage.
“I think we can definitely get the run game going, get back on track,” Jeanty said. “Just really get after these guys.”
Those comments put additional attention on a matchup in which the Raiders already had plenty to prove. They entered Sunday needing to correct their own shortcomings, including a running game that has too often left the offense searching for answers.
Calling out an opponent’s toughness only added another layer.
Through the opening portion of Sunday’s game, however, Washington has been the running back getting the opportunities to test that toughness. His seven carries accounted for every rushing attempt by a Raiders running back until Jeanty got a hand off in the second quarter.
That does not establish why the Raiders have handled the workload this way. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak will ultimately have to explain whether the rotation reflects discipline, a football decision or another consideration.
But if the intent is to hold Jeanty accountable for giving the Jets additional motivation, limiting his early opportunities would be a direct way to make the point.
It also remains to be seen how long the arrangement lasts. An opening stretch on the sideline does not necessarily signal a full-game reduction in responsibility.
For now, though, the contrast is unmistakable. Jeanty spent part of the week discussing what the Raiders could exploit in the Jets’ defense.
Washington has received the first seven chances to do something about it.
