Full Breakdown
Raiders Gear Up for Week 1 Showdown with Miami Amid Injuries and Roster Tweaks
9/10/2026, 1:27:31 AM
Core Event: Raiders vs. Dolphins Week 1 Preview
The Las Vegas Raiders will open the 2026 NFL season at home against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. New head coach Klint Kubiak will lead his first regular-season game, testing his offensive system against a team with several new starters.
Background & Context
Kubiak arrived after guiding the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory and inherited a roster built around running back Ashton Jeanty, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 draft. He intends to make Jeanty the Raiders’ primary ball-carrier, targeting a workload comparable to the 413 touches posted by Christian McCaffrey last season.
Data & Statistics
- Ashton Jeanty – No. 6 overall draft pick.
- Christian McCaffrey (2025) – League-leading 413 touches.
- Mike Washington Jr. – Ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the Combine.
- Tim Keenan III – 7th-round pick added to the practice squad as a reserve nose tackle.
- Patrick Gurd – Re-signed to practice squad; listed as FB/TE.
Official Statements & Responses
Kubiak emphasized that practice intensity will remain high while the team narrows its focus to the Dolphins’ schemes. General manager John Spytek stressed that every position group must “bring their best every day” as the Raiders aim for early wins.
Miami head coach Jeff Hafley reported that all 53 active-roster players practiced on Monday, with tight end Will Kacmarek and linebacker Ronnie Harrison returning from injuries. He hopes defensive end Kenneth Grant, placed on injured reserve, could return by Week 5.
Roster Moves
- Added to Raiders practice squad: DT Tim Keenan III and FB/TE Patrick Gurd.
- Released from practice squad: DT Gary Smith and S Devin Lafayette.
Miami’s injury updates include cornerbacks Darrell Baker Jr. and Storm Duck on the PUP list, and rookie Kyle Louis shifting to safety after preseason work at linebacker.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Jeanty’s availability: The Raiders said Jeanty is expected to return to practice later this week, but the exact date and extent of participation are unspecified.
- Game-day status: It is unclear whether Jeanty will be cleared for the Sunday opener, leaving the Raiders to rely on rookie Mike Washington Jr. for carries if needed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Absolutely, practice changes. There's more team periods. We still do a lot of competitive periods every day, but as far as the intensity of practice and our expectations, those don't change. You just have a narrowed focus on a new opponent,” — Klint Kubiak, Raiders head coach
- “We're always constantly trying to get every room better, and I know Klint [Kubiak] told you guys a week or two ago that more is expected, but I would say every room more is expected,” — John Spytek, Raiders general manager
What’s Next
Jeanty is slated to resume practice later this week, giving coaches a chance to assess his readiness before the Sunday game. The Raiders will finalize their active roster after the practice-squad additions, while Miami prepares to field a full-strength lineup following recent injury recoveries. Both teams will seek a strong start to a season that promises early challenges.
