Las Vegas Raiders running back Kenyan Drake's right ankle injury 'a little bit of an issue'

ByPaul Gutierrez ESPN logo
Monday, December 6, 2021

LAS VEGAS -- Las Vegas Raiders running back Kenyan Drake was carted off the Allegiant Stadium field with a right ankle injury midway through the second quarter of a 17-15 loss Sunday to the Washington Football Team.

Drake, who joined the Raiders this offseason after signing a two-year contract worth up to $14.5 million with $11 million guaranteed, was tackled awkwardly as he was pulled down by Daniel Wise from behind while being hit from the front by Deshazor Everett and Jamin Davis.

Drake tweeted after the game that the tackle that injured him "should be an illegal form of tackling like a horse collar."

The Raiders were down to two running backs in starter Josh Jacobs and Peyton Barber, as Jalen Richard was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier in the day. Drake was officially ruled out at halftime.

Raiders interim coach Rich Bisaccia said, after the loss, that Drake's injury is "a little bit of an issue" and would have an update on Monday. And Jacobs said Drake told him, "It's broke," before the trainers arrived on the field.

"I know he's had significant injuries in the past," said Jacobs, who was a bit choked up. "So, I'm just praying for him right now and praying for his family. His whole family was here at the game."

Drake, 27, has rushed for 254 yards and two touchdowns on 63 carries and caught 29 passes for 283 yards and a score as a change-of-pace back, often spelling Jacobs. He also has returned 10 kickoffs for 192 yards.

The Raiders' rushing attack clearly suffered without Drake. They ran for just 76 yards in the loss, on 16 carries, and even though it was a tight game throughout, Las Vegas relied on its passing attack.

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