Ashton Jeanty owns up to debut performance

The Las Vegas Raiders will take the 20-13 victory over the New England Patriots to kick off the season, but running back Ashton Jeanty would have loved a mulligan.

Despite being hyped as the sixth overall pick heading into the game, Jeanty had his fair share of struggles. He did get his first career NFL touchdown, but it was a silver lining to a day where he recorded only 38 yards on 19 carries. The offensive line woes and the rain-soaked field did not do Jeanty any favors, but he heads into Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers with something to prove.

It sounds as though Jeanty understands that things did not go his way, and his expectations for himself are much higher than what he showed last week.

Jeanty is still a threat for major production heading into Week Two.

After head coach Pete Carroll suggested that Jeanty was “jacked up” heading into the Patriots game, the running back spoke to the media on Thursday to set the record straight.

“I don’t think I was too fired up,” Jeanty said. “It’s football, you’re always going to get fired up, but I think, in terms of the game, just making reads I’ve always made, just being better, honestly. I didn’t play my best in the run game, and I’ll be working this week to be better at that and be better for the guys up front.”

Despite the difficult debut, the Chargers are still respecting what Jeanty brings to the table heading into the game.

“A lot of respect for him. He’s earned a right to be a top 10 pick. I feel like when you go that high, they’re not drafting you to not come in and play, so I feel like he’s earned every right he’s got. Excited to play him. He’s a great young back and I can’t wait to play against him,” Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. said.

The Chargers did let go of over five yards per carry against the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil, so Jeanty has an opportunity to bounce back in a big way on Monday.