Raiders Aim to Give Rookie Quarterback Fernando Mendoza Plenty of Reps in Preseason Opener

The Las Vegas Raiders will open their preseason on Thursday against the Arizona Cardinals, with a 5 p.m. PT kickoff. Head coach Klint Kubiak said the team expects to evaluate many players while ensuring that rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza receives “plenty of experience” in the game. Starters are slated to play, but Kubiak declined to detail the exact number of snaps each will receive.

ESPNFernando Mendoza may play with 1st-team offensive line Thursday

Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL draft, is listed second on the newly released depth chart, positioned behind veteran Kirk Cousins and ahead of Aidan O’Connell. Kubiak indicated that Mendoza could see some snaps with the first-team offensive line, though he did not specify how many drives he will participate in. The coach also noted that defensive end Maxx Crosby, returning from offseason knee surgery, may or may not be active, and that rookie cornerback Jermod McCoy, recovering from a 2024 knee injury, is expected to play.

Fernando Mendoza may play with 1st-team offensive line Thursday

Kubiak highlighted Mendoza’s progress in training camp, emphasizing the rookie’s ability to make adjustments and avoid repeating mistakes. He added that Mendoza practiced with the starters for the first time after Cousins missed a session due to a scuffle with Crosby. Kubiak described the upcoming game as a different challenge, saying it will be “a whole other animal.”

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• “I look forward to seeing him out there with his teammates. [There] are a lot of guys that we need to evaluate, but he will get plenty of reps,” — Klint Kubiak, coach

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• “That will be a whole other animal,” — Klint Kubiak, coach

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