Brimming with confidence, Mike Washington is eagerly stepping into his debut season.
“I’m ready,” Washington declared to reporters after the Raiders narrowly fell to the San Francisco 49ers, 18-12, on the previous Thursday night.
Throughout the preseason, Washington, the promising new addition to the Raiders, has consistently showcased his talent. Against San Francisco, he stood out by leading the team in rushing, amassing 49 yards over eight carries. Additionally, he proved valuable in the passing game, securing two catches for an extra 18 yards.
“I’m focused on being present and capitalizing on the chance to compete against their starters while running with our top players,” Washington shared with the media. “It’s a great learning experience.”
He attributed his self-assurance to his faith, saying, “My confidence stems from my faith in Jesus, as he is the core of everything in my life. I express my gratitude to him every day.”
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Washington Jr. has rotated between playing on the Raiders’ first string and second string during the preseason, but was the team’s bellcow on Thursday after starting running back Ashton Jeanty suffered a sprained ankle.
Throughout training camp, the fourth-round draft pick has impressed with his opportunities.
Last season at Arkansas, Washington was fifth in the SEC with 1,070 yards rushing.
Following the Raiders game, head coach Klint Kubiak, said he expects Jeanty to be ready by Week 1.
However, the Raiders have not provided the severity of the injury, which could hint that Washington Jr. could see some time early in the season.