Ashton Jeanty's ankle sprain sends a jolt through Raider Nation, but Scott Gulbransen explains why the backfield may be in better shape than fans think, thanks to fourth-round rookie Mike Washington Jr. Then it's the biggest question in Henderson: is this Kirk Cousins' team or Fernando Mendoza's, and what is head coach Klint Kubiak really signaling heading into Thursday's preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers?
In this episode: Jeanty's Sunday practice injury and what's known about the ankle sprain, Mike Washington Jr.'s preseason production (63 yards on 6 carries vs. Arizona, 56 yards on 9 carries vs. Houston) and what it means schematically under Kubiak, Kubiak's "job to lose" comment on Cousins, Fernando Mendoza's rough box score against Houston and the case for patience, Will Anderson's praise for Mendoza's poise, and a look at a struggling Raiders wide receiver room after Kubiak's blunt "we took a step backwards" comment. Plus caller Jacob from Fresno and a stack of viewer comments in the Raider Nation Court of Public Opinion.
Silver and Black Today is part of the Believe Podcast Network. Subscribe wherever you get your audio, or on YouTube, X, Facebook, TikTok and Spotify. Email your video or comment: mail@silverandblacktoday.com
Chapters:
00:00 Cold open — Ashton Jeanty's ankle injury and the sigh of relief
01:29 Welcome back, show intro, subscribe reminder
02:20 Teaser: the hidden running back story nobody's talking about
03:43 Who is Mike Washington Jr.? Arkansas, the trade-up, pick 122
04:52 Preseason Game 1 vs. Arizona — 63 yards on 6 carries, the 53-yard house call
05:31 Preseason Game 2 vs. Houston and the Texans joint practice
06:34 Why it matters schematically — Kubiak's Seattle blueprint (Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet)
07:43 Kubiak on Washington: "guys are earning roles"
09:04 The gap that keeps him a hidden weapon — pass protection and receiving
12:01 Washington's "welcome to the NFL" moment and the character angle
15:01 Turning to the QB competition
15:50 State of the Cousins-Mendoza competition heading into practice
18:13 Kubiak's "it's his job to lose" line, unpacked
19:51 Mendoza's developmental framing and Will Anderson's praise
23:03 Three things to watch in practice this week
25:11 The verdict — Cousins starts Week 1, Mendoza is the long-term plan
28:16 The Raiders wide receiver room and Kubiak's "we took a step backwards"
35:30 Raider Nation Court of Public Opinion
36:20 Caller: Jacob in Fresno on Fernando Mendoza
41:54 Comment: Black Friday513 (YouTube)
43:38 Comment: Special Ops J (YouTube)
45:41 Comment: Shield60 (YouTube)
47:39 Silver and Black Today returns to K-Don 101.5 FM in Las Vegas, Saturdays at 5 PM
48:20 New show alert: The Silver and Black Verdict
49:09 Sign-off and what's coming Thursday
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