Raiders RB Mike Washington Jr. a Game-Time Decision Against Rams

Being listed as a game-time decision with a foot and a back injury sounds less like a professional athletic update and more like the morning after sleeping on a bad hotel mattress. But according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, that is exactly where Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. finds himself ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

Fowler notes there is some optimism that Washington can play, but the team needs to see how he moves in warmups. For a Raiders squad that has completely face-planted into a three-game losing streak after a 3-0 start, waiting until the last minute for backfield clarity is just another headache they do not need.

"Jeremy Fowler reported there is 'some optimism' but the Raiders need to see how he feels today."

Washington was already stepping into a larger role thanks to Ashton Jeanty dealing with his own injury issues. The fourth-round pick out of Arkansas has been one of the few bright spots on the ground for Las Vegas, averaging nearly five yards a carry while racking up 168 yards and a touchdown on 34 attempts this season.

The timing of this injury is brutal when you look at the matchup. The Rams are currently sitting as 5.5-point road favorites with a game total hovering around 47.5. While Los Angeles boasts the third-best overall defense in the league, they are highly susceptible on the ground, giving up 127 rushing yards per contest.

This was supposed to be the exact type of game script where a physical rookie back could eat. Instead, if Washington cannot suit up, the Raiders will be trotting out the league's 30th-ranked rushing offense without their most efficient runner. Trying to keep pace with Matthew Stafford by throwing the ball 50 times is a recipe for a four-game slide.

Fantasy managers and prop bettors need to keep their screens refreshed right up until kickoff. If Washington gets the green light, he has a clear path to volume against a soft run defense. If he sits, expect the Raiders to abandon the ground game entirely in a desperate attempt to save their season.