‘He’s not just a fast kid… he’s special’: Raiders star Ashton Jeanty opens up about facing two-way phenom Travis Hunter — as Pete Carroll hails the Jaguars’ “centerpiece” ahead of crucial Week 9 clash after Vegas’ humiliating 31-0 loss… - suong
Posted October 31, 2025
The Las Vegas Raiders will aim for a rebound after their bye week following a 31-0 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Silver and Black will host the Jacksonville Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium, hoping to turn things around.
With playoff hopes fading, Las Vegas is looking to improve to 3-5 with a victory over a Jaguars team sitting at 4-3 and firmly in the AFC playoff hunt. This matchup will also feature the Raiders’ opponents showcasing two-way talent, as Travis Hunter takes the field for Jacksonville.
Ahead of the Week 9 game, Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty, who was in the same draft class as Hunter, spoke about facing the Jaguars star since he will see him on defense.
“He’s a great player, obviously dynamic, playing on both sides of the ball,” Jeanty told reporters on October 29. “A guy to look out for on offense and defense. But yeah, excited, regardless of who it is, and just excited to go out there and play another home game…
“[The Jaguars are] really good up front. They force a lot of turnovers, so we’ve got to take care of the ball. They have a great run defense — I think No. 7 in the league. We’ve got our challenges cut out for us.”
Pete Carroll Doesn’t Hold Back on Travis Hunter
Jeanty isn’t the only person within the Raiders organization who’s talking about facing the two-way standout. This week, head coach Pete Carroll shared his thoughts on facing Hunter.
“He’s not just a good fast kid that can play ball,” Carroll said on a recent episode of “1 on 1.” “He’s got great instincts. That’s why he could play on both sides of the football. I
remember asking him at the combine, ‘Are you worried about playing both ways?’ He said, ‘Heck no, I’ve always played both ways.‘ He wasn’t even concerned about it.
“That’s the kind of guy who has the savvy and awareness that make him unique and special, and why they went so hard after getting him. He’s the centerpiece of their offense and, in particular, defense. Maybe they’re cutting back a little on that, but offensively, he did really well last week. He’s not just a catch guy; he’s a catch-and-run guy, and he blocks, too. He’s got a good mentality about him.”
Raiders Welcome New Offensive Player
Moreover, Jeanty will have a new teammate on the field for this game against the Jaguars. On October 27, Las Vegas announced the signing of veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who reunites with Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith.
Lockett started the 2025 NFL season with the Tennessee Titans but requested and was granted his release on October 20. Ahead of his potential Raiders debut, Carroll spoke about the arrival of the former
Seattle Seahawks star.
“High hopes for him and high hopes for us that we can make a good connection here,“ Carroll said. “It’s a lot to ask a guy to jump in and be a regular player in a
week’s time, but he’s going for it and we’ll see what happens by the end of the week. He’s in here over the weekend as soon as he found out that he was going to be a Raider.
“He’s a marvelous football player and a tremendous person; he’s one of the real natural ball players—he’s got great sense and feel and has always demonstrated that. Geno knows him really well. They’ve played together for quite some time, and there’s a chemistry between them that
maybe can give us a little edge that we haven’t had with the younger guys who have been playing.
“We’ll see what happens and hold out good hopes for this to help us. I’m really excited for Tyler to be with us again, in a place where people love him, know who he is and what he’s all about, and hopefully our fans will be able to see that.”
‘They clearly trust him…’: Insider claims rookie Darius Cooper is set for a bigger role after shocking Eagles trade — as Philadelphia ships John Metchie III to the Jets in last-minute deadline shake-up and fans brace for more moves before November 4… - suong
We’re in the heart of trade season. With the NFL trade deadline just a few days away on November 4, teams are scrambling to make last-minute deals to add pieces to their rosters as the season continues to heat up.
The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets kept the party going on Wednesday, swapping players and picks in a mutually-beneficial deal. The Eagles sent WR John Metchie III along with a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Jets in exchange for CB Michael Carter II and a 2027 seventh-round pick. Metchie, a former second-round pick, had been previously acquired from the Texans during the preseason.
The Eagles had been rather openly scouring the trade market for help at cornerback, and now they get it in Carter. In recent seasons, Carter has emerged as one of the better slot cornerbacks in the league in New York, and he heads to a Philadelphia team that could use some help in the secondary.
Rookie Philadelphia Eagles UDFA WR Darius Cooper Predicted to Get Bigger Role in the Wake of the Trade
Emilee Chinn/GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 04: Darius Cooper #80 of the Philadelphia Eagles kneels before the NFL 2025 game between Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 04, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
After news of the Metchie trade broke, Zach Berman, the Eagles’ beat reporter for The Athletic, offered his thoughts on the move. One thing that stood out to him is the trust the Eagles are placing in rookie undrafted free agent WR Darius Cooper.
“This is continued evidence of [the Eagles’] belief in Darius Cooper as a depth piece at wide receiver,” Berman said on Twitter/X. “That was evident when he made the [53-man roster], earned early playing time, and was activated from IR late in week when A.J. Brown’s status appeared in doubt. The idea behind trading for Metchie made sense. Cooper capitalized on multiple checkpoints through the summer. Injury slowed him down a bit, but he’s WR4 for the Eagles.”
Cooper played his college ball at Tarleton State, where he had 76 receptions for 1,449 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior in 2024. So far in the NFL, he’s appeared in four games for the Eagles, mostly on special teams.
The top of the Eagles’ depth chart at receiver is set with A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson. With Metchie now in New York, Cooper slides into that fourth receiver role. While his number won’t be called on offense often, he’ll be relied upon in some key situations, and the Philadelphia coaching staff clearly trusts him.
Will the Philadelphia Eagles Make Any Other Midseason Trades?
Eagles GM Howie Roseman is one of the most aggressive general managers in the league. He’s never afraid to make a move to upgrade the talent on his team or help them by patching an area of need, so watch for him to make another move before the deadline.
Philadelphia was in the market for both a cornerback and an edge defender as we approach the trade deadline. Cornerback was taken care of with the trade for Carter, but watch the Eagles to see if they make a move for a pass rusher in the coming days.
