| News |
|---|
|
Dylan Laube Dylan Laube Elevated role for Week 1?
Sat, Sep 5, 2026, 9:51 AM
Laube made the Raiders' 53-man roster at the end of training camp and could operate in an elevated role on offense against the Dolphins in Week 1 if Ashton Jeanty (ankle) is limited or ruled out.
Analysis: Jeanty suffered a low-ankle sprain during the Raiders' training camp practice Aug. 23. The relief for the Raiders was that it wasn't a high-ankle sprain or worse, and although there's optimism around Jeanty playing Week 1, the injury could limit his effectiveness and playing time. That would open the door for both Mike Washington and Laube to operate in expanded roles on offense, with the latter also seeing the field on special teams as a kickoff returner. |
|
Brock Bowers Brock Bowers Working with Cousins to open season
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 7:00 PM
Bowers will open the 2026 season working with Kirk Cousins as his quarterback after the veteran was named the Week 1 starter Wednesday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The star tight end is looking to return to the caliber of production he managed during an outstanding 2024 rookie campaign, one where he recorded a 112-1,194-5 line across 17 regular-season games. Bowers endured a lingering knee injury last season that ultimately limited him to 12 games, but the combination of his return to full health and a savvy veteran familiar with head coach Klint Kubiak's system in Cousins sets the stage for a potentially productive start to the 2026 season. |
|
Fernando Mendoza Fernando Mendoza Opening season as QB2
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 11:48 AM
With coach Klint Kubiak naming Kirk Cousins the Raiders' starting quarterback Wednesday, Mendoza will open the season as the backup, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Mendoza was in the competition all offseason, but it was going to take some otherworldly play to knock Cousins out of the top spot on the depth chart. While Cousins completed 13 of 17 passes for 101 yards and one touchdown across 30 preseason snaps, Mendoza struggled some, completing just 26 of 46 passes for 250 yards, one touchdown and a pair of interceptions during exhibition action. Cousins is likely to have a decently long leash to begin the season, but Mendoza remains a good bet to make starts as a rookie. |
|
Ashton Jeanty Ashton Jeanty Optimism for Week 1
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 11:45 AM
Coach Klint Kubiak expressed optimism Wednesday that Jeanty (ankle) will be ready for Week 1 against the Dolphins, Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
Analysis: Jeanty hasn't practiced this week after suffering what is believed to be a low-ankle sprain back on Aug. 23, but the running back has been working off to the side with trainers in an effort to get ready for the start of the regular season. Once the Raiders are required to release true injury reports next week, there will be a better idea of Jeanty's availability for the regular-season opener. Mike Washington and Dylan Laube are next up for carries if Jeanty is unable to play against Miami. |
|
Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Named starting quarterback
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 11:41 AM
Coach Klint Kubiak named Cousins the Raiders' starting quarterback Wednesday, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: It was a decision everyone expected and comes as no surprise after Cousins worked with the first-team offense all offseason. Cousins played 30 offensive snaps during the preseason and completed 13 of 17 pass attempts for 101 yards and one touchdown, while rookie No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza was more scattershot, completing just 26 of 46 passes for 250 yards, one touchdown and a pair of picks. Cousins should have a somewhat long leash to begin the season, but Mendoza remains very likely to see rookie-year playing time. |
|
Ashton Jeanty Ashton Jeanty Remains sidelined Wednesday
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 10:46 AM
Jeanty (ankle) remained sidelined at practice Wednesday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Jeanty worked off to the side with trainers Tuesday, as he attempts to get past an ankle injury suffered Aug. 23. It's believed to be a low-ankle sprain for the second-year running back. Jeanty has 11 more days before the Raiders open the season at home against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 13. He'll likely need to practice in some fashion next week to have a chance to play, otherwise Mike Washington and Dylan Laube would be in line to carry the backfield load for Las Vegas. |
|
Catches on with Las Vegas
Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 10:18 AM
The Raiders claimed Luter off waivers from the 49ers on Monday.
Analysis: Las Vegas waived cornerback Decamerion Richardson to make room on the 53-man roster for Luter, a 2023 fifth-round pick who had spent each of his first three seasons in San Francisco. He served as a depth piece in the 49ers secondary in 2025, appearing in all 17 games during the regular season while recording 28 tackles, one pass breakup and one fumble recovery. Luter could be in line for a more pronounced role in Las Vegas, where he'll face lesser competition for reps at cornerback. |
|
Ashton Jeanty Ashton Jeanty Working with trainers Tuesday
Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 10:12 AM
Jeanty (ankle) is working off to the side during Tuesday's practice, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: This marks the first time Jeanty has been participating during a media viewing period since the running back sustained an ankle injury during practice Aug. 23. Jeanty was initially not out with the team for Tuesday's session but has since gotten on the field to work with trainers. There are still some hurdles to be cleared before Jeanty's Week 1 status is confirmed, but the second-year back appears to be making progress. |
|
Ashton Jeanty Ashton Jeanty Not spotted Tuesday
Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 10:02 AM
Jeanty (ankle) was not spotted at Tuesday's practice, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Head coach Klint Kubiak said Friday that he's "counting on" Jeanty to be available for Week 1, but the second-year running back will need to get back on the practice field first. The Raiders will open their season with a Sept. 13 game against the Dolphins, so Jeanty still has time to heal up from his sprained ankle. Rookie Mike Washington would be in store for an expanded role versus Miami if Jeanty is out or limited for that contest. |
|
Chase Roberts Chase Roberts Goes to IR
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 7:03 PM
Roberts (undisclosed) reverted to the Raiders' IR on Monday, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Roberts was waived/injured with an undisclosed issue Sunday and went unclaimed on waivers. As such, he'll need to miss the entire 2026 season unless he works out an injury settlement with Las Vegas. |
|
Dont'e Thornton Jr. Dont'e Thornton Jr. Sent to injured reserve
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 6:29 PM
The Raiders placed Thornton (undisclosed) on injured reserve Monday.
Analysis: It's still unclear what is bothering Thornton, but he'll now be required to miss at least the first four games of the regular season. The 2025 fourth-rounder corralled just 10 of 30 targets for 135 scoreless yards across 15 regular-season appearances as a rookie last season and missed the entire preseason this summer. Under a new coaching staff, it's unclear what kind of role Thornton will have this season once healthy. |
|
Carter Runyon Carter Runyon Placed on IR, designated to return
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 12:52 PM
Runyon (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve by the Raiders on Sunday with a designation to return.
Analysis: Runyon did not play in the preseason, and he's dealing with an undisclosed injury ahead of the 2026 campaign. The tight end will be forced to miss at least four contests to open the regular season, and the earliest he could return to action is Week 5 versus the Patriots on Oct. 11. Runyon was primarily as a special-teams asset in 2025, so his absence won't carry much of an impact on offense. |
|
Placed on injured reserve
Sun, Aug 30, 2026, 7:50 PM
The Raiders placed Crawford (ankle) on injured reserve Sunday, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Crawford was not given a tag that designated his return during 2026, meaning the rookie third-rounder will spend the entirety of his first season on IR. The linebacker will need to look toward 2027 to make his NFL debut. With Crawford out, Malcolm Koonce becomes the primary depth option at outside linebacker behind Kwity Paye and Maxx Crosby. |
|
Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Expected to be named starter
Sat, Aug 29, 2026, 4:30 PM
Cousins is expected to be named starting quarterback for the Raiders, Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com reports.
Analysis: Raiders coach Klint Kubiak had refused to announce a decision on Las Vegas' Week 1 quarterback throughout the preseason, but Cousins has been listed as the No. 1 QB on the team's depth chart during training camp and the exhibition slate. The veteran signal-caller was also more effective than rookie No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza during preseason play, completing 13 of 17 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions to Mendoza's 25-for-45 line with one TD and two pickoffs. Cousins will thus have the first opportunity to helm the Raiders offense, which features an elite tight end in Brock Bowers but one of the NFL's shallowest wide-receiver corps. Should Cousins and/or the team struggle, Mendoza could eventually be given a chance to start later in the campaign, though it's certainly possible he'll be asked to observe and learn from the bench for his entire rookie season. |
|
Jack Bech Jack Bech Plays in finale
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 6:08 PM
Bech caught his sole target for five yards in Thursday night's preseason finale against the 49ers.
Analysis: Bech played 20 offensive snaps in the contest, garnering attention just one time. The 2025 second-rounder is in a battle for starting wide receiver snaps. With Sunday's cutdown day rapidly approaching, the Raiders likely already know whether Bech, Dont'e Thornton, Dareke Young or Malik Benson will take on the No. 3 wide receiver role for the Week 1 matchup against the Dolphins. |
|
Ashton Jeanty Ashton Jeanty Being counted on for opener
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 12:26 PM
Jeanty's ankle injury is being monitored in advance of Week 1, but per head coach Klint Kubiak, the Raiders are "counting on him" to be available, Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official website reports.
Analysis: The extent of the injury Jeanty sustained at Sunday's practice session has not been revealed, but Kubiak's comments provide reason to believe the Raiders will have their top running back available for the season opener against the Dolphins on Sept. 13. Jeanty will have over two weeks to rest and recover before the campaign gets underway, and should he encounter any hiccups Mike Washington remains next in line in the Las Vegas backfield. |
|
Jalen Nailor Jalen Nailor Two catches in preseason loss
Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 10:54 PM
Nailor brought in two of four targets for 13 yards in the Raiders' 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday.
Analysis: Nailor led the Raiders in targets and finished tied for second in receptions. The fourth-year pro made his first catch on a pass from Kirk Cousins for a seven-yard gain during the opening possession, and he recorded his second catch with Fernando Mendoza under center to open Las Vegas' third drive. Nailor was then also the intended target deep down the middle on the next play, a pass that resulted in an interception. The fifth-year pro is projected to open the regular season as the No. 2 receiver and posted a 3-35-0 line on seven targets in two preseason games. |
|
Tre Tucker Tre Tucker Paces pass catchers in preseason loss
Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 10:46 PM
Tucker secured all three targets for 25 yards in the Raiders' 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday.
Analysis: Tucker led the Raiders in receptions and receiving yards on a night when Las Vegas netted just 138 passing yards overall. Tucker, the Raiders' presumptive No. 1 receiver to open the regular season, played on the first two drives and recorded 14- and eight-yard grabs on passes from Kirk Cousins during back-to-back plays on the opening possession. Tucker finishes preseason with a 5-46-0 line on five targets over two games, and he'll now set his sights on the Dolphins for a Week 1 home matchup on Sunday, Sept. 13. |
|
Fernando Mendoza Fernando Mendoza Still in QB competition
Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 10:36 PM
Mendoza remains in the mix for the Raiders' starting quarterback job along with veteran Kirk Cousins, Vinny Bonsignore of the California Post reports.
Analysis: The first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Mendoza opened training camp as the No. 2 QB and has remained there through the preseason, but he has earned some reps with the first-team offense along the way in both practices and exhibitions. He wrapped up his three preseason contests having completed 25 of 45 passes for 240 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Until coach Klint Kubiak makes a decision, ther potential exists for Mendoza to be under center for Las Vegas in Week 1 versus the Dolphins |
|
Mike Washington Jr. Mike Washington Jr. Effective in preseason start
Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 10:31 PM
Washington rushed eight times for 49 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the Raiders' 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday.
Analysis: Washington operated as the starting running back with Ashton Jeanty (ankle) sidelined and turned in an efficient performance. The rookie fourth-round pick set the tone for his night by quickly churning out 12 yards on the first two plays from scrimmage, and he added 13- and 11-yard gains on Las Vegas' second possession. Washington appears firmly entrenched as the No. 2 back to open the season, but he'd be teed up for a likely Week 1 starting assignment against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 13 if Jeanty is unable to suit up. |
Connect With Us:
