The Las Vegas Raiders gave their first-quarter rushing attempts to rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. during Sunday's game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Washington received the first six carries of the game, while Ashton Jeanty was on the field for the opening snap and saw time later in the quarter.
The team also started rookie Trey Zuhn III at right guard over Caleb Rogers and Jackson Powers-Johnson, both of whom had started games earlier this season. Zuhn had been trending toward a starting role as the veterans struggled.
On defense, fourth-round pick Jermod McCoy entered the game on the first defensive snap after cornerback Darien Porter suffered a groin injury. Hezekiah Masses had been rotating with Porter in recent weeks. Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard said this week that McCoy, who missed his final collegiate season with a major knee injury, was nearing full health.
It remains unclear whether Jeanty's reduced early workload was related to comments he made about the Jets' tackling or was strictly a performance-based decision by the coaching staff.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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