| News |
|---|
|
Michael Mayer Michael Mayer Three catches in victory
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 9:56 PM
Mayer caught three of five targets for 47 yards in Sunday's 14-12 win over the Chiefs.
Analysis: Mayer was able to pace the team with 47 yards while reeling in at least three passes for the fifth time in his last eight contests. The tight end will finish his third campaign in Las Vegas having caught 35 of 50 targets for 328 yards and one touchdown over 13 regular-season contests. Mayer will enter next year as the top reserve option behind Brock Bowers (knee) at tight end with the Raiders. |
|
Ashton Jeanty Ashton Jeanty Finishes shy of 1,000 rushing yards
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 8:07 PM
Jeanty rushed the ball 26 times for 87 yards in Sunday's 14-12 win over the Chiefs. He added three receptions on five targets for seven yards.
Analysis: Jeanty unsurprisingly remained the focal point of the offense, logging over 25 total touches for the second time in his last three games. He didn't find much running room, though he did manage two rushes of at least 10 yards. Jeanty ultimately finished his rookie campaign with 1,321 yards from scrimmage, while falling only 25 rushing yards short of 1,000. The Raiders secured the number one pick despite the win and are almost certain to select a quarterback, so Jeanty should have a better supporting cast around him for his sophomore campaign. |
|
Raheem Mostert Raheem Mostert Won't play Week 18
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 2:09 PM
Mostert (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Analysis: Mostert drew the questionable tag for Sunday's game after an FP/DNP/LP practice log during Week 18 prep. However, the veteran running back has not been cleared to play in Sunday's regular-season finale, so Zamir White and Dylan Laube are in line for more backfield snaps behind Ashton Jeanty. Mostert appeared in 12 games for the Raiders this season and will end the 2025 campaign with 22 carries for 104 yards along with 12 catches (on as many targets) for 70 yards. |
|
Kenny Pickett Kenny Pickett To be in rotation with O'Connell
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 5:08 PM
Pickett and Aidan O'Connell will be the Raiders' available quarterbacks Sunday against the Chiefs with Geno Smith (ankle) ruled out for the contest, Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site reports.
Analysis: Coach Pete Carroll told Edwards on Wednesday that Pickett likely would start Week 18 while working in a rotation with O'Connell, but Carroll wouldn't commit to a starter as of Friday, instead saying the duo will work in a rotation. Pickett has received run in five games (one start) this season, completing 27 of 41 passes for 185 yards, one touchdown and one interception, turning four carries into 13 yards and losing his only fumble. Meanwhile, O'Connell last played Week 18 of the 2024 campaign. |
|
Geno Smith Geno Smith Officially ruled out for Sunday
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 4:47 PM
Smith (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's season finale against the Chiefs.
Analysis: With Smith out for the contest, coach Pete Carroll noted Friday (without naming a QB starter) that Kenny Pickett and Aidan O'Connell would be in a rotation Sunday, Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site reports. In his first season with the 2-14 Raiders, Smith threw for 3,025 yards to go along with 19 TDs and 17 picks in 15 games. Though the veteran signal-caller currently is under contract with Las Vegas through the 2027 season, it's very possible that the team will be using one of the top picks in the 2026 NFL Draft on a QB. |
|
Raheem Mostert Raheem Mostert Officially questionable for Week 18
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 4:38 PM
Mostert (knee/ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Paul Gutierrez of the Raiders' official site reports.
Analysis: Mostert produced a FP/DNP/LP practice log for Week 18 prep while managing knee and ankle injuries, and his status for Sunday's game may not be officially known until the Raiders announce their list of inactive players approximately 90 minutes before the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Dylan Laube would serve as the Raiders' main returner on kickoffs and join Zamir White as the rotational backfield options behind Ashton Jeanty if Mostert is not cleared to play. |
|
Raheem Mostert Raheem Mostert Sits out of Thursday's practice
Thu, Jan 1, 2026, 4:58 PM
Mostert (knee/ankle) did not participate in Thursday's practice, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Mostert's absence from Thursday's practice could be a maintenance day, given that the veteran running back was a full participant in Wednesday's session. His participation in Friday's practice will provide clarity on his status heading into Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chiefs. |
|
Raheem Mostert Raheem Mostert Logs full practice Wednesday
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 6:42 PM
Mostert (ankle/knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Paul Gutierrez of the Raiders' official site reports.
Analysis: Ankle and knee injuries prevented Mostert from suiting up for the Raiders' Week 17 loss to the Giants. However, his ability to practice in full Wednesday puts the veteran running back on track to play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chiefs. Mostert has seen limited touches on offense while operating as Ashton Jeanty's backup, with the former logging 22 carries for 104 yards and 12 catches (on as many targets) for 70 yards across 12 regular-season games. |
|
Jack Bech Jack Bech Logs full practice Wednesday
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 5:58 PM
Bech (back) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Paul Gutierrez of the Raiders' official site reports.
Analysis: Bech was a late addition to the Raiders' injury report during Week 17 prep, which resulted in him being sidelined for this past Sunday's loss against the Giants. He was able to practice without restriction Wednesday, which puts the rookie second-rounder on track to play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chiefs. Bech has accumulated 20 catches (on 27 targets) for 224 yards through the first 15 regular-season games of his NFL career. |
|
Geno Smith Geno Smith Not slated to start Sunday
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 2:10 PM
Coach Pete Carroll noted Wednesday that Smith (ankle) is not in line to play Sunday against the Chiefs, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Smith emerged from Week 17 action with a concerning ankle injury, and in terms of the QB's availability versus Kansas City, Carroll said, "I hate closing the door on any opportunity, but it's going to be really hard for him." With that in mind, look for Smith to be officially ruled out by Friday, and in that scenario Carroll indicated that he expects Kenny Pickett and Aidan O'Connell to compete for the Week 18 starting nod, adding that he anticipates both signal-callers seeing action this weekend. |
|
Kenny Pickett Kenny Pickett Likely to start, split reps Week 18
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 2:03 PM
Coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that Pickett is expected to start Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site reports.
Analysis: However, Carroll suggested that Pickett and Aidan O'Connell could split reps in the regular-season finale, as Geno Smith (ankle) isn't in line to play. The 27-year-old Pickett has appeared in five games this season and has put nothing good on tape, averaging a pitiful 4.5 yards per attempt with one touchdown and one interception across 41 pass attempts. |
|
Aidan O'Connell Aidan O'Connell May play off bench Sunday
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 2:03 PM
O'Connell may get playing time off the bench Sunday against the Chiefs, Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site reports.
Analysis: Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said Kenny Pickett likely will start in place of Geno Smith (ankle), with O'Connell potentially then coming off the bench to play some. Carroll didn't say if he'll take a similar approach at other positions. |
|
Dont'e Thornton Dont'e Thornton Four targets in blowout loss
Tue, Dec 30, 2025, 8:36 AM
Thornton caught two of four targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants.
Analysis: Thornton filled the WR2 role behind Tre Tucker with fellow rookie Jack Bech (back) sidelined for Sunday's contest, but Thornton averaged just 3.0 yards per target while playing 78 percent of the Raiders' offensive snaps. If Bech manages to return for a Week 18 matchup against the Chiefs, Thornton's involvement could diminish. |
|
Zamir White Zamir White Logs one carry in loss
Tue, Dec 30, 2025, 8:17 AM
White rushed once for two yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants.
Analysis: White suited up for the first time since Week 5 with Raheem Mostert (ankle/knee) sidelined Sunday, but White ultimately handled just one offensive touch while rookie Ashton Jeanty took 16 carries for 60 yards to go along with a pair of receptions. Fellow running back Dylan Laube was restricted to a special-teams role, so White could serve as the Raiders' RB2 again in Week 18 if Mostert remains out. |
|
Geno Smith Geno Smith Has significant ankle injury
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 1:21 PM
Coach Pete Carroll clarified Monday that Smith avoided a high-ankle sprain but is still dealing with a significant ankle injury after exiting Sunday's loss to the Giants, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Smith seems highly unlikely to play in next Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chiefs. Kenny Pickett will likely draw the start against Kansas City. The Smith acquisition by Las Vegas has gone about as poorly as imaginable, as Smith is 2-13 across his 15 starts and leads the league with 17 interceptions. He'll likely be one-and-done with the Raiders. |
|
Tyler Lockett Tyler Lockett Two catches in Week 17
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 11:19 PM
Lockett recorded two receptions on three targets for nine yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants.
Analysis: Despite the absence of Jack Bech (back) and Brock Bowers (knee), Lockett continued to fade in the Raiders' offense. He has four or fewer targets in five consecutive contests and has surpassed 11 yards only once in that span. |
|
Tre Tucker Tre Tucker Tallies 49 yards
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 11:13 PM
Tucker recorded five receptions on six targets for 49 yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants.
Analysis: Tucker saw a slight uptick in targets with Jack Bech (back) and Brock Bowers (knee) both sidelined, finishing second on the team in targets. He was involved early, recording three receptions for 35 yards on the Raiders' second offensive possession. Tucker should see at least a handful of targets in Week 18 against the Chiefs, though the offense isn't likely to experience much success with Kenny Pickett under center. |
|
Michael Mayer Michael Mayer Fills in admirably for Bowers
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 9:02 PM
Mayer recorded nine receptions on 10 targets for 89 yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants.
Analysis: The Raiders didn't get much going through the air, but Mayer was responsible for the majority of the limited production. He led the team in every receiving statistic and logged five receptions of at least 11 yards. This was easily Mayer's most productive game of the season -- which came in the absence of Brock Bowers (knee) -- and he should be a favorite target of Kenny Pickett in Week 18 against the Chiefs. |
|
Ashton Jeanty Ashton Jeanty Totals 73 yards
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 8:50 PM
Jeanty rushed the ball 16 times for 60 yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants. He added two receptions on two targets for 13 yards.
Analysis: Jeanty couldn't duplicate his Week 16 heroics and was extremely inefficient for most of the game. He delivered long runs of 24 and 14 yards in the second half to bolster his stat line, the former of which came with four minutes remaining in the game and the Raiders down three scores. Jeanty enters a Week 18 matchup against the Chiefs needing 112 rushing yards to reach 1,000 for his rookie season, though he's hit that mark only twice in 16 games to this point. |
|
Kenny Pickett Kenny Pickett Relieves injured Smith
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 8:33 PM
Pickett completed both of his passes for 16 yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants.
Analysis: Geno Smith exited the game with an ankle injury early in the fourth quarter, with Pickett relieving him for the Raiders' final possession. Pickett completed short passes of 11 and five yards, though the drive resulted in a turnover on downs. Following the game, head coach Pete Carroll said Smith suffered a high ankle sprain, setting Pickett up for a Week 18 start against the Chiefs, per Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com. |
Connect With Us:
