For Raiders, Ashton Jeanty can play vs Bills, but should he?

Ashton Jeanty wants to play.Klint Kubiak says he will.But the most important question facing the Raiders might be the one that deserves more consideration before Sunday’s game against the Bills.Should he?There is a difference between being healthy enough to take a handoff and being healthy enough to do something with it. Between being able to run, jump and cut and being able to perform those movements with the explosiveness that makes Jeanty special.The Raiders need to ask whether Jeanty is healthy enough to be effective, rather than simply healthy enough to play.The former Boise State star suffered a high ankle sprain shortly before last month’s season opener and is now dealing with a foot injury, too.His limitations are apparent.

So is his declining production, including 27 yards on 10 carries against the Patriots on Sunday.At some point, the Raiders have to do more than just consider whether giving him time to heal would help him, and their offense, and actually do it.It does not appear that is going to happen, though.Despite internal conversations about giving Jeanty a week off to recover from his foot and ankle injuries, Kubiak shut down the possibility Wednesday, making clear that Jeanty will play against Buffalo.“He’s playing,” Kubiak said, flatly.The Raiders first-year head coach also added that Jeanty is “really starting to feel a lot better physically.

So, excited about giving him even more reps in practice, more full-speed reps.”That settles his availability, at least for now.It should not end the discussion about what makes the most sense.Especially with rookie Mike Washington Jr.

showing so much promise and seemingly capable of holding down the fort until Jeanty returns.Jeanty means too much to this organization, both for what the Raiders hope to accomplish this season and what they intend to build beyond it, for the decision to rest entirely on whether he can tolerate another Sunday.His toughness is established.His commitment is obvi...