Raiders Win Ugly: Washington Jr. Shines, But Penalty Crisis Looms
Raiders Rookie Running Back Mike Washington Jr. Shines in Preseason: What You Need to Know
Quick Summary: Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. is turning heads with explosive plays in preseason games. While coaches love his running ability, they say he still needs to improve in blocking and catching passes before earning a bigger role in the regular season.
Who Is Mike Washington Jr.?
Mike Washington Jr. is a rookie running back for the Las Vegas Raiders. Think of a rookie like a freshman in college—it’s his very first year playing professional football. Despite being new, he’s already making highlight-reel plays every time he touches the ball.
His Preseason Highlights So Far
| Game | Performance | Big Play |
|---|---|---|
| Preseason Debut | Highlight-reel 53-yard run | Broke free for a long touchdown-style run |
| vs. Texans (Thursday) | 56 yards on 9 carries (team high) | 33-yard jaunt in 22-20 comeback win |
ELI5 Explanation: "Carries" just means how many times he ran with the ball. "Yards per carry" tells you how far he goes on average each time. His 6.2 yards per carry against the Texans is really good!
What Makes Him Special? (And What He’s Working On)
What He’s Doing Great
- Explosive runner – Finds holes in the defense and bursts through them
- Consistent playmaker – Making plays "nearly every day in training camp"
- Great mindset – Stays focused, ignores media hype, takes it "play by play, day by day"
- Earning trust – Coaches and teammates notice his hard work
Areas for Improvement (Coach’s Words)
"We have to keep getting him better in all facets of his game." – Coach Klint Kubiak
| Skill Area | Status | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Running the ball | Excellent | Already a strength |
| Pass blocking | Needs work | Protects the quarterback from defenders |
| Catching passes | Needs work | Makes him usable on 3rd downs and in modern offense |
| Communication with QBs | Needs work | Had miscues with rookie QB Fernando Mendoza two weeks in a row |
Important Callout: In the NFL, running backs who only run the ball often sit on the bench. To play more snaps, Washington must prove he can block blitzing linebackers and catch passes out of the backfield reliably.
What the Coaches & Teammates Are Saying
Coach Klint Kubiak
"Guys are earning roles. We’re gathering information. He’s a young guy, so we’re learning more about him. But when guys are having success, they carve out roles and that’s where he’s headed. But I’ll say it again. Mike’s doing a great job running the ball. We have to keep getting him better in all facets of his game."
Quarterback Aidan O’Connell
"It’s been great to see him develop in the pass game and the run game. Coming in as a rookie and as a running back, your protections, pass game, run game, you kind of have to know everything. So to see him grow and mature in that space has been awesome."
Mike Washington Jr. Himself
"I’ve just been focused on the present, being where my feet are. I’m trying not to pay attention to what the media is saying or anything like that. I’m just going play by play and day by day."
Other Key Takeaways from the Texans Game
1. Too Many Penalties – A Real Concern
- 9 penalties for 83 yards (after 8 for 75 yards in Week 1)
- 5 of them on special teams (kickoffs, punts, returns)
- Coach Kubiak took blame: "That’s on me as a coach… I better figure it out real quick."
ELI5: Penalties are like getting timeout in a game—they push your team backward and kill drives. Doing it two weeks in a row is a bad habit.
2. Cornerback Battle Heating Up
- Darien Porter and Hezekiah Masses started at cornerback
- They’re competing for the starting spot opposite Eric Stokes (who rested)
- Both showed promise after Houston’s opening touchdown drive
- Young safeties Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson got lots of reps (Johnson led team with 7 tackles)
3. Run Defense Took a Big Step Forward
- Held Texans (mostly backups) to 3.1 yards per carry
- Allowed only 41 yards in final three quarters after giving up 37 in Q1
- Key moment: Stopped 2nd-and-1 and 3rd-and-1 late in game → forced punt → set up game-winning drive
- Coach Kubiak: "I thought our run defense was really good tonight… big step forward."
4. Jalen Nailor Got Unexpected Playing Time
- Expected starting receiver played first few drives (most starters rested)
- Caught 1 of 3 targets for 22 yards
- Unclear what this means for his depth chart status—could be getting extra work or sending a message
Step-by-Step: What Happens Next for Washington?
- Keep dominating in practice – Coaches watch every rep, not just games
- Master pass protection drills – This is often the #1 reason rookies don’t play
- Build chemistry with QBs – Fix communication issues with Mendoza and O’Connell
- Show reliability on special teams – Many rookies earn roster spots here first
- Produce in final preseason game – Last chance to prove he deserves regular-season snaps
- Earn a role alongside Ashton Jeanty – The star RB; Washington would be the "change-of-pace" back
Summary
| Topic | Bottom Line |
|---|---|
| Mike Washington Jr. | Explosive rookie RB making plays every game; great attitude; running is elite |
| The Hurdle | Must improve blocking, receiving, and QB communication to earn regular-season role |
| Team Issues | Penalties are a major concern (2 straight sloppy games); run defense improved nicely |
| Position Battles | Cornerback (Porter vs. Masses) and safety spots wide open; Nailor usage curious |
| Next Steps | Final preseason game crucial for Washington and all bubble players |
The Big Picture: Washington has the talent to be a steal for the Raiders. But in the NFL, talent gets you noticed—reliability gets you on the field. If he cleans up the "other stuff," he’ll be playing meaningful snaps come September.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Who is Ashton Jeanty, and how does he affect Washington’s role?
Ashton Jeanty is the Raiders’ star starting running back. Washington isn’t trying to replace him—he’s trying to be the backup/change-of-pace guy. Think of it like a video game: Jeanty is the "main character," Washington wants to be the reliable "player 2" who comes in for specific situations.
Why do penalties matter so much in preseason?
Preseason is about building habits. If you’re sloppy now, you’ll be sloppy when games count. Five special teams penalties means the coverage/return units—often where rookies make the team—are undisciplined. Coach Kubiak is right to be worried.
What does "carving out a role" actually mean?
It means earning a specific, defined job on game days. Examples: "3rd-down back," "goal-line back," "kick returner," "2-minute drill specialist." Washington wants any defined role to start.
Why was Jalen Nailor playing if other starters rested?
Three possibilities: (1) He needs more reps to shake off rust, (2) Coaches are evaluating him vs. younger WRs, or (3) He’s not as locked in as we thought. It’s a minor mystery worth watching.
Can a rookie RB really contribute right away?
Absolutely. Recent examples: Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions), Bijan Robinson (Falcons), De’Von Achane (Dolphins). But they all could block and catch passes as rookies. That’s the bar Washington must clear.
Source: Original reporting by Adam Hill, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Game: Raiders 22, Texans 20 (Preseason Week 2) at Reliant Stadium