HOUSTON — Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. continues to show up and make big plays just about every time he steps on the field for the Las Vegas Raiders.
He followed up a highlight-reel 53-yard run in his preseason debut with a game-high 56 yards on nine carries that included a 33-yard jaunt in Thursday’s 22-20 comeback victory over the Texans at Reliant Stadium.
Washington, who has made plays nearly every day in training camp and generated some buzz with some good work against the Texans dominant first-team defense in the joint practice on Tuesday, said he’s not paying attention to the hype.
“I’ve just been focused on the present, being where my feet are,” he said after the win. “I’m trying not to pay attention to what the media is saying or anything like that. I’m just going play by play and day by day. I’m just trying to do everything I can to be on the field and help the team win. Really just using each and every opportunity to help the team win.”
He could be on the verge of carving out a more significant role in the backfield alongside star Ashton Jeanty, but coach Klint Kubiak cautioned there is more to a running back’s job than just carrying the ball.
“Guys are earning roles,” Kubiak said. “We’re gathering information. He’s a young guy, so we’re learning more about him. But when guys are having success, they carve out roles and that’s where he’s headed.
“But I’ll say it again. Mike’s doing a great job running the ball. We have to keep getting him better in all facets of his game.”
Washington will have to show he can be a reliable blocker and consistent target in the passing game in order to truly expand his opportunities once the regular season begins.
He appears to be on the right track.
“It’s been great to see him develop in the pass game and the run game,” quarterback Aidan O’Connell said. “Coming in as a rookie and as a running back, your protections, pass game, run game, you kind of have to know everything. So to see him grow and mature in that space has been awesome. The coaches have been hard on him and expect a lot out of him so to see him go in there and produce is not surprising.”
He did appear to have a bit of a miscommunication with rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza in the passing game for the second straight week. In the opener, he was nearly led into a massive hit on a Mendoza throw and on Thursday he was the intended target on a pick-6 by the Texans in the first quarter.
“I see a very talented young man with a bright future ahead of him that is extremely humble and hard-working,” Kubiak said. “If he just keeps that mindset, he’ll keep getting better. He has plenty he needs to improve on and he knows that.”
Here are some other takeaways from the preseason win in which both teams rested most of their starters:
Too many penalties
The Raiders committed nine penalties for 83 yards in the win after being flagged eight times for 75 yards in the opener.
Kubiak was not pleased with his team’s inability to clean up the mistakes after it was such a focal point all week and took the responsibility upon himself.
“Very concerned,” he said. “Two weeks in a row. That’s on me as a coach. And a lot of them on special teams, I think five of them. That’s on me to get that cleaned up. I said the same thing last week so I better figure it out real quick.”
Cornerback battle
While most of the team’s starters sat out the game, the Raiders started Darien Porter and Hezekiah Masses at cornerback.
Those two have been locked in a battle for the starting spot opposite Eric Stokes, who got the night off.
Both were able to do some good things, especially after Houston’s opening drive for a touchdown.
There was also plenty of playing time for young safeties Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson, who led the team with seven tackles.
“Last week we had some problems and penalties (in the secondary),” Kubiak said. “I thought the coverage was sticky today. I have to go watch the film, but this next game we can’t get these young guys enough reps because they’re all going to be a part of us winning games this year.”
Run defense improved
One of the main points of emphasis for the Raiders this week was improving the run defense.
Mission accomplished, with an asterisk.
The Raiders backups did a much better job this week as they were able to hold mostly reserves for the Texans to just 3.1 yards per carry.
It’s not starters, but a mindset was clearly developed for the Raiders as a team as they allowed just 41 yards over the final three quarters after surrendering 37 in the first quarter.
“I thought our run defense was really good tonight,” Kubiak said. “I thought we took a big step forward as a defense. I thought they did a really good job.”
The Raiders stopped a second-and-1 and a third-and-1 after the 2-minute warning to force a punt and set up the offense for the game-winning drive.
Nailor sees the field
While the Raiders sat nearly every projected starter, expected starting receiver Jalen Nailor was on the field the first few drives.
Kubiak said it was his decision to play Nailor, who caught one of three targets for 22 yards.
It’s unclear what his playing time means for his spot on the depth chart.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
