Raiders RB’s preseason takeaway? ‘I probably need to make more guys miss’
Ashton Jeanty, as he prepares for his NFL debut, is still processing the lessons he learned from his first professional training camp and preseason.
The rookie running back out of Boise State and the rest of the Raiders open their 2025 campaign Sunday against the Patriots. Jeanty, the No. 6 overall pick in April’s draft, believes he’s better prepared for the game after getting an early taste of life in the league.
“I learned I probably need to make more guys miss,” Jeanty said, smiling.
Jeanty was half joking, but there’s some merit to what he said.
Last year’s Heisman Trophy runner-up was known for being both physical and elusive in college. But like any young NFL player, he wanted to show his opponents his toughness was going to translate to the pros. That led to him lowering his shoulder and trying to run over defenders in the preseason.
Jeanty suffered a stinger on one of those collisions, which was a bit of a reminder he has to pick his spots. The Raiders need him on the field, not in the trainer’s room, if they want to be successful this season.
“I mean, I just kind of take it as a joke, because I feel like me as a player, I’ve been a pretty physical player,” Jeanty said. “But yeah, obviously you want to pick and choose your battles. The season is long, and I want to be available throughout the whole season.”
Jeanty, 21, is excited for his NFL debut. But he’s also trying to keep things in perspective.
“It’s the most important game right now, because it’s the one we’re about to play,” Jeanty said. “But not going to make it any bigger than it is. You’re still playing football, still doing what we’ve been doing. But obviously it’s my real debut, so I’m excited.”
Replacing Cooper
The Raiders looked from within to fill the void left by veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper, who informed the team Thursday he wanted to retire.
Wide receiver Justin Shorter was promoted from the practice squad Friday to take Cooper’s spot on the 53-man roster. Shorter, 25, was listed as a tight end last year but changed positions this offseason. The 2023 fifth-round pick of the Bills appeared in 10 games for the Raiders last season.
Coach Pete Carroll said Shorter stood out during camp.
“And it’s because of the terrific work that he does on special teams. It makes him stand out above other receivers,” Carroll said. “He’s physical, he’s tough, he loves it, a great attitude, and he adds to everybody else’s effort as well.”
The Raiders signed veteran wide receiver Phillip Dorsett to take Shorter’s place on the practice squad.
No excuses
Carroll, after spending 14 years coaching the Seahawks, knows a little bit about managing long road trips. Especially ones out East for 10 a.m. PT kickoffs.
Seattle was 24-11 in 10 a.m. games under Carroll and ended his tenure on a 16-5 run. That experience should come in handy when the Raiders play the Patriots at Gillette Stadium at 10 a.m. Sunday.
“We got a way of doing it, and I know we’ve had a lot of success doing that, and it’s never been an issue for us,” Carroll said.
Carroll wasn’t too forthcoming on his methods, but there are some important components. They include traveling two days before the game and monitoring players’ sleep rhythms and hydration.
It also helps that Carroll’s Seahawks were plus-34 in the turnover battle in 10 a.m. kickoffs.
“You want to know how you win?” Carroll said. “That’s how you win.”
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.
