Raiders rookie Ashton Jeanty struggled in his NFL debut, but expectations remain high

HENDERSON, Nev. — Few rookies human face higher expectations than Raiders running support sir frederick ashton Jeanty, and thither was outstanding anticipation about his NFL debut this past Sunday.

Then it actually happened and ...

Jeanty rushed for 38 yards on 19 carries in Las Vegas' 20-13 victory over New England.

Not the kind of numbers he produced last season at Boise State when Jeanty led the nation with 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns and was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.

Also not the kind of numbers expected of the sixth pick in the draft.

But it wasn't all Jeanty's fault.

He had little help from his offensive line, and Jeanty gained 44 yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus. Coach Pete Carroll said Jeanty and the line will need time to establish chemistry to help him break through the initial defense to get to the second level where he can roam in the open field.

“That takes some time, and the guys haven’t played very much together in real games,” Carroll said. “The games helped us some, the practice against the Niners helped us some, but these games will help us get better.”

Carroll said much of the blame for Jeanty's slow start also goes on the back himself.

“He was jacked up and he would tell you, I would think, that he wished he would have been a little more patient on some reads and things like that,” Carroll said. "He didn’t look like that in preseason. This game, being called on to the ball 19 times, it was a little bit different for him. He’ll play way better. He’ll see things more clearly.”

Jeanty put together a promising training camp and even was featured in the passing game. That wasn't the case against the Patriots when he caught two passes for 2 yards.

Even if this wasn't the kind of first game Jeanty — and Raiders badly hoped for — it wasn't a wasted performance, either.

He produced his first touchdown on a play that was reminiscent of his Boise State days when last season he gained 1,970 yards after contact. Jeanty busted his way into the end zone on a 3-yard run in the third quarter to put the Raiders ahead for good at 14-10.

“A lot of emotions,” Jeanty said of scoring. “But staying level-headed.”

He also came through when the Raiders were trying to expand their seven-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

Las Vegas faced third-and-1 at its 21-yard line, and a three-and-out likely would have given the Patriots excellent field position and a chance to tie the game. Jeanty took the handoff and ran off right guard for a 4-yard gain. The Raiders wound up moving into field goal to make it a two-possession lead that proved invaluable later when the Patriots tried to rally.

The Raiders also put the ball in Jeanty's hands when taking possession with 4:48 left, giving him five carries in six plays. He lost five yards, but Las Vegas — thanks mostly to a 36-yard pass from Geno Smith to Dont'e Thornton Jr. — ran three minutes off the clock.

“Tough running by Ashton,” Smith said. “It’s hard to do that in a four-minute situation when the whole stadium knows we’re running the ball.”

Safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. Is on injured reserve after breaking his right leg in a mock game on Aug. 2, but that didn't prevent him from suiting up.

Johnson watched Las Vegas-New England game from his couch while decked out in a Raiders uniform, including his helmet. Only the cleats were missing; he had a boot on his right foot.

His wife, Selena, posted a video of Johnson, writing, “First game of the season but your husband is on IR.”

Johnson also posted a picture, writing, “Put me in Coach!!”

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