The Las Vegas Raiders concluded their preseason schedule with an 18-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but the result mattered less than what the team learned about its roster heading into the regular season. With roster cutdowns looming on Sunday, Thursday night’s matchup at Allegiant Stadium served as a final examination for numerous players competing for spots on the 53-man roster.
At the quarterback position, the performance gap between veterans and rookies became apparent. Kirk Cousins demonstrated the polish expected from an experienced signal-caller, while first overall pick Fernando Mendoza continued to show inconsistency, completing 7 of 14 passes for 57 yards while throwing an interception. Head Coach Klint Kubiak has not officially named a starter for Week One, but the contrast in their outings suggested the direction the team is leaning. Mendoza acknowledged his need for continued development rather than rushing into a starting role.
Beyond the quarterback competition, several position groups showed promise. Running back Mike Washington impressed with 49 rushing yards on eight carries, positioning himself as a potential complement to Ashton Jeanty. On defense, linebacker Treydan Stukes earned playing time with the first unit after recording three tackles, while edge rusher Patrick Johnson and defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland made compelling cases for roster inclusion through strong individual performances.
Coach Kubiak identified offensive efficiency as an area requiring improvement, noting the team failed to reach the end zone. As the Raiders prepare for meaningful games to begin, the organization faces critical decisions that will shape its roster composition and initial season trajectory.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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