Story perspectives

Raiders Cut to 53, Start Kirk Cousins

8/26/2026

Summary

Raiders Roster Cuts

The Raiders must cut their roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET Sunday.
Coach Klint Kubiak plans to start Kirk Cousins at quarterback.
Mike Washington Jr. rushed for 119 yards on 15 carries, averaging 7.9 yards per attempt.
Ashton Jeanty remains the presumed starter, though his health is uncertain.
Dalton Johnson recorded a sack, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble versus Houston.

Summary

Raiders Donate

Raiders donate $25 million to Intermountain Health for a new stand-alone children’s hospital.
Cornerback Chigozie Anusiem was placed on injured reserve after a knee injury in the win over the Texans.
Wide receiver Noah Brown was released eight days after signing with the Raiders.
The team kept International Pathway player Kansei Matsuzawa, maintaining an 89-player roster.
Dareke Young, E.J. Williams and Chase Roberts are battling for punt-return spots.

History

Historical Context

When the NFL imposed its first hard salary cap for the 1994 season, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue set the limit at $34.6 million, and Raiders owner Al Davis warned that violations could trigger $5 million penalties. Decades later, the Las Vegas Raiders again trimmed to a 53-player roster while donating $25 million to Intermountain Health, echoing the league-wide practice of balancing payroll constraints with community commitments.

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Raiders Roster Cuts

The Raiders must cut their roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET Sunday.
Coach Klint Kubiak plans to start Kirk Cousins at quarterback.
Mike Washington Jr. rushed for 119 yards on 15 carries, averaging 7.9 yards per attempt.
Ashton Jeanty remains the presumed starter, though his health is uncertain.
Dalton Johnson recorded a sack, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble versus Houston.

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