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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Decision on Week 1 starting QB still to come
Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 10:25 PM
Coach Klint Kubiak said after Thursday's preseason game against the 49ers that he hasn't made a decision between Cousins and rookie first overall pick Fernando Mendoza regarding who will be the Week 1 starting quarterback, Vincent Bonsignore of the California Post reports.
Analysis: Cousins opened training camp as the Raiders' starting QB and has been listed as No. 1 on the depth chart throughout camp and exhibition season. On Thursday, he started and completed eight of 11 passes for 51 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions, which seemingly wasn't enough to lock down the job over Mendoza. As a result, this situation remains the top lingering job battle in advance of Week 1. |
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Brock Bowers Brock Bowers One catch in preseason loss
Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 10:16 PM
Bowers secured one of two targets for six yards in the Raiders' 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday.
Analysis: The talented tight end logged only one snap in the preseason opener against the Cardinals on Aug. 13 and then was rested for last Thursday's game against the Texans, so Bowers' catch goes down as his first and only stat from exhibition season. After an injury-impacted 2025, Bowers is back to full health and will serve as the top target in the Raiders offense to begin the campaign. Bowers next takes the field in a Week 1 home matchup against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 13. |
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Won't return Thursday
Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 9:33 PM
Crawford (ankle) will not return to Thursday night's preseason finale against the 49ers, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Crawford exited late in the second half. The linebacker needed to be assisted off the field and was carted to the locker room from the blue tent. The third-round rookie appears to have a significant injury based on the precautions taken and may need to miss the beginning of the regular season. |
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Mike Washington Jr. Mike Washington Jr. Draws praise from coach
Tue, Aug 25, 2026, 8:30 PM
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said Tuesday that Washington has "done a great job of growing up real fast," Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site reports.
Analysis: Washington was selected by Las Vegas in the fourth round of April's NFL Draft and has already turned heads in the team's first two preseason games, rushing for 119 yards on 15 carries (7.9 YPC) while adding two catches on four targets for 18 yards. The rookie's name became a hot topic in the fantasy community this past weekend when Ashton Jeanty went down with an ankle injury during practice, though the latest news is that he's nursing a low-ankle sprain and isn't looking at a long-term absence. It appears Jeanty could be ready to face the Dolphins in Week 1 on Sunday, Sept. 13, but if the ankle injury persists and keeps him out of the regular-season opener, Washington would be the lead candidate to take over No. 1 RB duties for that contest. |
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Ashton Jeanty Ashton Jeanty Believed to be nursing low-ankle sprain
Tue, Aug 25, 2026, 8:23 AM
The Raiders are optimistic that the injury Jeanty sustained during practice Sunday is a "more low than high" ankle sprain and not a long-term concern, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: While the Raiders are fully confident that Jeanty avoided a significant injury, the second-year running back is still in danger of missing the team's Week 1 game against the Dolphins. Jeanty will at the very least sit out Thursday's preseason finale versus the 49ers, but he'll have two weeks to recover before the regular season kicks off. Rookie Mike Washington would be in line to serve as the Raiders' lead back if Jeanty ends up missing time. |
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Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Listed atop depth chart
Mon, Aug 24, 2026, 7:47 PM
Cousins is listed as the Raiders' top quarterback on the unofficial depth chart for Thursday's preseason game versus the 49ers, according to the team's official site.
Analysis: With coach Klint Kubiak recently declining to formally name a starter, this depth-chart placement offers another sign that Cousins remains the leading option atop Las Vegas' quarterback room. Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell, in that order, appear to remain behind Cousins heading into the Raiders' final preseason contest. It's unclear if Cousins will see any action in that game. |
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Ashton Jeanty Ashton Jeanty Sits out Monday's practice
Mon, Aug 24, 2026, 2:55 PM
Jeanty (ankle) didn't participant in practice Monday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The Raiders experienced a scare when Jeanty went down during Sunday's session and couldn't put any pressure on his right leg as he left the field. Later Sunday evening, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Jeanty suffered a sprained ankle that wasn't considered to be a long-term concern, but the second-year running back predictably will require some time on the sideline. Rookie fourth-rounder Mike Washington likely will take on most of the first-team reps during Jeanty's absence. |
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Dont'e Thornton Jr. Dont'e Thornton Jr. Still not practicing
Mon, Aug 24, 2026, 2:49 PM
Thornton (undisclosed) didn't practice Monday, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Per Levi Damien of USA Today, Thornton has been missing from practice for the past of couple weeks and has yet to play this preseason. When he's able to return,Thornton will look to reestablish his slotting in a Raiders WR corps that also includes Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech and Malik Benson. |
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Ashton Jeanty Ashton Jeanty Believed to have sprained ankle
Sun, Aug 23, 2026, 10:09 PM
Jeanty is believed to have a sprained ankle that "is not considered a long-term injury," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: There was concern about Jeanty's status after he was injured at Sunday's practice and reportedly could not put any weight on his leg, but the initial diagnosis appears more promising than not, with the report noting the Raiders are "breathing a sigh of relief." Both the full extent of Jeanty's injury and a recovery timeline have not yet been revealed, and his status will be updated again when more information is released. |
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Mike Washington Jr. Mike Washington Jr. Sees extra work after Jeanty injury
Sun, Aug 23, 2026, 5:28 PM
Washington took most of the carries after Ashton Jeanty (knee) left Sunday's practice, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Washington has been getting rave reviews during the preseason, and the rookie -- who is followed by Dylan Laube, Dare Ogunbowale and Roman Hemby on the depth chart -- will presumably be the next man up should Jeanty miss any time. The extent of Jeanty's injury is not yet known, but the diagnosis will prove pivotal for fantasy players interested in drafting or who have already picked up either Raiders running back. |
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Ashton Jeanty Ashton Jeanty Leaves practice with leg injury
Sun, Aug 23, 2026, 4:40 PM
Jeanty left Sunday's practice with an injury and could not put pressure on his leg while leaving the field, Vincent Bonsignore of the California Post reports.
Analysis: Jeanty went down after diving for a catch and landing awkwardly, and he could not put any pressure on his right leg while being helped off the field by trainers, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com. Other Raiders players were also seen taking a knee in acknowledgement after the running back left the field. The exact nature and severity of this apparent injury are still unclear, with McFadden suggesting it could be a knee issue, so it will be worth monitoring further updates on the running back's status. In the event that Jeanty misses any time, Mike Washington is next up for carries in a Las Vegas backfield that also includes Dylan Laube, Roman Hemby and Dare Ogunbowale. |
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Lands on IR
Sat, Aug 22, 2026, 3:31 PM
The Raiders placed Anusiem (knee) on injured reserve Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Anusiem will be forced to miss the entire upcoming season after suffering a knee injury during Thursday's preseason game versus the Texans. The 25-year-old will now shift his focus to getting healthy for the 2027 campaign. |
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