Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty sparked widespread concern after displaying unusual behavior during Sunday’s game, posting a cryptic “pray for me” message online, and leaving fans, teammates, and the NFL community worried about his health, mental state, and future in the league.

The Las Vegas Raiders are facing an unexpected storm of concern surrounding rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, whose recent behavior has left fans, teammates, and league insiders worried about his well-being.

At just 20 years old, Jeanty has already established himself as one of the NFL’s most promising young backs, but events over the past week have cast a shadow over his rise.

The alarm bells began ringing after Sunday’s game at Allegiant Stadium, where the Raiders faced off against the Denver Broncos.

Though Jeanty managed 72 rushing yards on 14 carries, observers noted his demeanor on the sideline appeared off.

Cameras captured the young back sitting apart from teammates, staring down at the turf with a visibly shaken expression.

Moments later, when head coach Antonio Pierce tried to rally the offense, Jeanty seemed disengaged and slow to respond, prompting whispers among reporters in the press box.

After the game, which ended in a 27-24 Raiders loss, Jeanty skipped the traditional media availability session.

“We were told he wasn’t feeling well,” one team official explained, though no further details were provided.

Within hours, speculation spread across social media, with some fans suggesting he may be struggling with an undisclosed injury, while others feared something deeper — possibly personal or mental health-related.

The concern only intensified the next morning when Jeanty posted a cryptic message to his Instagram story: “Not everything you see on the field shows what’s going on inside.

Pray for me.” The post, which quickly went viral, was deleted within an hour, but not before it was screenshotted and shared widely.

Fans flooded his Twitter and Instagram with messages of support, while sports talk radio hosts in Las Vegas debated whether the Raiders organization was withholding information.

Golden Tate, the former NFL wide receiver, was one of the first notable figures to weigh in publicly.

“I don’t know Ashton personally,” Tate said during a podcast appearance, “but I’ve been around the league long enough to recognize when a guy is struggling.

Sometimes it’s physical, sometimes it’s mental, sometimes it’s both.

The Raiders need to make sure this kid gets the support he needs, because he’s too talented to be lost in the shuffle.”

Teammates have also begun to speak cautiously on the matter.

Veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew, who joined the Raiders this season, told reporters: “Ashton’s a young guy, but he’s got a big heart.

We’re all here for him.

Sometimes the weight of the league can hit you harder than people realize.

This is a grind, and nobody gets through it alone.”

For now, Raiders officials have offered no formal update, only stating that Jeanty was present at team facilities on Tuesday but limited in practice.

Sources close to the team insist there is no disciplinary issue at play, countering speculation that arose after the running back was spotted leaving the stadium alone Sunday night without speaking to coaches.

Still, the uncertainty has prompted broader conversations about the pressures young players face in today’s NFL.

Jeanty, who starred at Boise State before being drafted in the second round earlier this year, entered the league with high expectations.

With star power, speed, and explosiveness, he was quickly embraced by the Raiders’ fanbase as a potential franchise cornerstone.

But adjusting to the professional level can take a toll.

Mental health advocacy groups, already active within the NFL following the league’s recent initiatives, have pointed to Jeanty’s cryptic message as a sign of the immense strain players endure.

Dr.Rachel Lin, a sports psychologist who has worked with professional athletes, noted: “For a 20-year-old rookie to openly write something like that tells you he’s reaching out in his own way.

Whether it’s burnout, stress, or personal struggles, the Raiders and the NFL need to step up right now to protect him as a person first, and an athlete second.”

Meanwhile, fans in Las Vegas are rallying behind Jeanty.

A trending hashtag, #PrayForAshton, appeared on Twitter within hours of his Instagram post.

Messages like “Stay strong, 28 — Raider Nation’s with you” and “You’re more than a game, Ashton” have flooded his mentions.

As the Raiders prepare for their next matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, questions about Jeanty’s availability — and his overall condition — remain unanswered.

For now, one thing is clear: the spotlight on this young running back has shifted from his on-field potential to his off-field battles, and the NFL world is watching closely.

Whether this proves to be a temporary setback or the start of a deeper struggle, the concern surrounding Ashton Jeanty has already sparked a larger discussion about what it truly means to succeed in the NFL — and the human cost that often lies behind the helmets and highlight reels.