Raiders Rookie Ashton Jeanty Shows Toughness in Preseason Clash With 49ers

Raiders Rookie Ashton Jeanty Shows Toughness in Preseason Clash With 49ers

The Las Vegas Raiders may have lost their second preseason matchup, but rookie running back Ashton Jeanty gave fans plenty of reasons to be excited. In a 22-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the former Boise State star showed exactly why the Raiders selected him with a top draft pick.

Jeanty Proves He Can Take and Deliver Hits

Early in the game, Jeanty took a big shot to his shoulder from 49ers linebacker Tatum Bethune. Trainers sent him to the medical tent, but he quickly returned after being cleared. Instead of shying away from contact, Jeanty answered back.

On the very next series, he lowered his pads, plowed through cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, and ripped off a 13-yard gain. A few plays later, he capped off the drive by powering into the end zone for his first professional touchdown.

The rookie finished the night with 33 yards on seven carries, looking much sharper than in his preseason debut against Seattle, where he was held to negative yards.

Veteran Quarterback Impressed by Rookie

Quarterback Geno Smith, who led the Raiders first-team offense early in the game, had strong praise for Jeanty’s style of play. Smith noted how refreshing it was to see a young back who doesn’t avoid contact and called Jeanty a “special player in the making.”

For a rookie still learning the pace of the NFL, that’s the kind of endorsement any player would want.

Moody’s Kick Seals It for San Francisco

The 49ers ultimately came away with the win thanks to kicker Jake Moody. After nailing a 44-yarder with under a minute left to tie the game, he had one more chance following a late interception of Raiders QB Cam Miller. Moody drilled a clutch 59-yard field goal as time expired, sealing the 22-19 victory.

The 49ers quarterback rotation also made headlines. Brock Purdy played one early series before giving way to Mac Jones, who threw for 135 yards but also tossed an interception. Carter Bradley, a familiar face in Vegas, led San Francisco on the tying and winning drives.

Injuries Pile Up for the 49ers

While San Francisco escaped with the win, injuries continue to be a major storyline. Three offensive players left the game in the first half, including starting guard Dominick Puni (knee), running back Corey Kiner (ankle), and running back Patrick Taylor Jr. (shoulder).

With depth already thin at wide receiver and other spots, the 49ers will be hoping this latest wave of injuries doesn’t carry over into the regular season.

Raiders Legends and Tom Brady in Attendance

Allegiant Stadium also featured some star power in the stands. Raiders minority owner Tom Brady was on hand, rocking a white team jacket on the sidelines. Several Hall of Famers — including Marcus Allen, Fred Biletnikoff, and Tim Brown — also attended the game, highlighting the franchise’s deep history alongside its new generation of talent.

Final Score

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	3	7	3	9	22
Raiders	3	10	0	6	19

Team Total Yards

Team	Passing Yards	Rushing Yards	Total Yards
49ers	284	64	348
Raiders	194	77	271

Passing Stats

Player	Team	Comp/Att	Yards	TD	INT
Mac Jones	49ers	13/16	135	0	1
Carter Bradley	49ers	8/13	96	0	0
Brock Purdy	49ers	5/7	66	0	0
Aidan O'Connell	Raiders	15/23	138	0	1
Geno Smith	Raiders	6/8	55	0	0
Cam Miller	Raiders	2/6	25	0	1

Rushing Stats

Player	Team	Carries	Yards	TD	Longest Run
Ashton Jeanty	Raiders	7	33	1	13
Keshawn Vaughn	49ers	9	24	0	10
Jeff Wilson Jr.	49ers	8	16	1	9
Corey Kiner	49ers	2	23	0	19
Raheem Mostert	Raiders	3	9	0	4
Chris Collier	Raiders	4	26	0	9

Receiving Stats

Player	Team	Targets	Receptions	Yards	TD	Longest Catch
Robbie Chosen	49ers	7	5	92	0	30
Demarcus Robinson	49ers	4	3	44	0	24
Ricky Pearsall	49ers	4	3	42	0	21
Carter Runyon	Raiders	4	2	29	0	18
Shedrick Jackson	Raiders	3	3	28	0	14
Brock Bowers	Raiders	1	1	28	0	28
Jack Bech	Raiders	3	2	21	0	13

Field Goal Stats

Kicker	Team	Made/Attempted	Longest FG
Jake Moody	49ers	5/6	59 yards
Daniel Carlson	Raiders	4/4	Not specified

What’s Next

• 49ers: Host the Los Angeles Chargers next Saturday.

• Raiders: Travel to Arizona for their next preseason test.

Final Takeaway

The Raiders may not have gotten the win, but Ashton Jeanty made a statement. After shaking off a hard hit early, he responded with physical runs, a touchdown, and the kind of toughness coaches crave. Preseason is about development, and if Week 2 is any indication, Jeanty is on the fast track to becoming a fan favorite in Las Vegas.