“He played really good football. I’m really happy with all three of our quarterbacks. Kirk’s had a really good offseason, very good camp and he’s earned it,” the HC revealed per ESPN‘s Adam Schefter.

Aidan O’Connell is the other quarterback on the Raiders’ depth chart, although he is expected to have fewer opportunities to see the field throughout the season. Ultimately, Cousins’ experience prevailed over the other options as he prepares to lead the team into another campaign.

Cousins brings plenty of NFL experience

Kirk Cousins is officially rolling into his 15th NFL season, continuing one of the most durable and steady under-center runs in modern football. Drafted in 2012 by Washington Redskins as a fourth-round backup to Robert Griffin III, Cousins took over starting duties in 2015 and never looked back, eventually carving out major multi-year chapters with Washington, Minnesota Vikings, and Atlanta Falcons.

While playoff success has been elusive, his biggest claim to fame remains his remarkable consistency and high-level individual efficiency: he’s a 4-time Pro Bowler who surpassed 44,000 career passing yards and nearly 300 passing touchdowns, earning a reputation as one of the ultimate intermediate-to-deep pocket passers and highest-earning players in league history.

A tough start to the season for Las Vegas

The Raiders are looking at a crucial opening stretch to kick off their 2026 campaign. They open up at home at Allegiant Stadium against the Dolphins in Week 1 before hitting the road for back-to-back road tests against the divisional-rival Los Angeles Chargers and a trip to the Superdome to face the New Orleans Saints.

The schedule doesn’t ease up from there, as they head back to Vegas for a massive AFC West showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4, followed by a tricky Week 5 trip east to take on the New England Patriots.

“He’s a tireless worker. He loves football. He loves his teammates. He’s energetic on the field. He’s self-critical. He’s self-aware. He’s very accurate,” the General Manager said, via transcript from the team. “His time is coming, but he’s got to earn it every day, and he knows that. I think we’re all very pleased with the person and his work ethic and his commitment to being a great quarterback.”

The arrival of Klint Kubiak as the franchise’s new head coach signals another change in direction. Will the rookie be the right player to lead the team to a successful season, or will they instead have to rely on Kirk Cousins’ experience?

Mendoza’s first steps in the NFL

Taking his first NFL snaps as a pro, Fernando Mendoza got a true trial-by-fire experience during his 2026 preseason with the Raiders. Across the exhibition slate, the rookie completed 25 of 45 passes (55.6%) for 240 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions, registering a 59.5 passer rating.

While he showed flashes from a clean pocket, his biggest growing pain was adjusting to NFL pressure and playing on time—taking 4 sacks and suffering 14 hits on 51 drop backs while learning to navigate the pocket against pro defenses.

Will Kubiak turn to Cousins?

The battle for the QB1 job in Las Vegas was fierce and closely contested. Still, Klint Kubiak explained that Kirk Cousins earned the starting role against the Miami Dolphins based on his performance throughout the offseason, which stood out above the rest of the quarterbacks.

The first challenges for Las Vegas

The Raiders are one of the NFL franchises undergoing a rebuilding process, with several new faces looking to help turn things around. Establishing themselves in the AFC West is one of the team’s first objectives, and getting off to a strong start will be crucial to building momentum.

• Week 1, vs Miami Dolphins – September 13
• Week 2, at Los Angeles Chargers – September 20
• Week 3, at New Orleans Saints – September 27
• Week 4, vs Kansas City Chiefs – October 4
• Week 5, at New England Patriots – October 11

Ogunbowale won’t make the 53-man roster cut, but that doesn’t mean the Raiders won’t do moves. However, it seems like the running back depth chart right now is one they’re happy with:

• Ashton Jeanty
• Mike Washington Jr.
• Dylan Laube
• Roman Hemby

Ogunbowale should’ve made the cut

Ogunbowale is objectively a more productive NFL running back than Laube and Hemby. However, that doesn’t mean the younger backs are safe on the roster. Also, this moves is a sign that the Raiders favor age and roster flexibility.

NFL rules allow teams to elevate a practice squad player to the active game-day roster up to three times without officially signing them to the 53-man roster. If Ogunbowale clears waivers, they could sign him back to their practice squad.

Ogunbowale’s NFL stats

It’s been a 9-year NFL career for Ogunbowale where he has spent it all as a rotational piece in teams like the then-Washington Commanders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans.

He’s had 177 rushing attempts, 594 yards, and five touchdowns. Ogunbowale also has 109 receptions for 850 yards and two receiving touchdowns. As a rotational piece, he’s been highly effective.

During an interview with ESPN, Cignetti told Kevin Clark that Mendoza has “Quick arm, good arm strength, good mobility. Got a body of work out there and he’s going to be a really good pro…if not this year, sometime soon.”

Hence, Cignetti knows destiny is bright for Mendoza. However, there is a key thing in his assessment, which is the speed on his arm. Many QBs have good arm strength, or accuracy. However, not all can unleash a pass quickly while keeping their poise.

Cignetti made a key observation

A few days ago, the world saw Jim Harbaugh in a media campaign to affirm JJ McCarthy as the best rookie quarterback. Two years later, and McCarthy has lost its job altogether. Cignetti, though, was way more cautious.

He said, “if not this year, sometime soon.” This means Cignetti could see Mendoza as a guy that could benefit from sitting behind Kirk Cousins for a year, or at least by a good portion of the season. Is this concerning for Mendoza? Not really, it’s more of a learning curve, after all, Cignetti also said he will be a very good pro.

Cousins’ role is hanging by a thread

While it seems Kirk Cousins is the one starting the season as the Raiders QB1, nothing has been confirmed yet by head coach Klint Kubiak. Also, even if Cousins starts, every mistake will be a huge talking point as Mendoza will be waiting for his chance to shine.

How to watch Raiders vs 49ers in the USA

Raiders vs 49ers will be televised locally on FOX5 Las Vegas. For streaming, Fubo and NFL+ are the main options for viewers watching the game outside the local broadcast market, as the services carries live out-of-market preseason games.

Can I watch Raiders vs 49ers for free?

Yes, eligible viewers can watch Raiders vs 49ers for free with Fubo‘s 5-day free trial. The platform’s official listing for the game shows the matchup live on NFL Network and currently offers a “Try for free” option.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Raiders vs. 49ers is the final preseason game for both teams, making Thursday’s matchup an important final audition before the regular season. Las Vegas enters the game after a 22-20 comeback win over Houston, while San Francisco dominated the Chargers 41-17 in Week 2.

With the preseason ending, the focus now shifts from results to the players trying to secure their places on the 53-man roster. For the Raiders, one of the biggest storylines remains the quarterback competition between Kirk Cousins and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

Head coach Klint Kubiak had not yet named his starter after the Houston game, keeping the battle open with one preseason opportunity remaining. Mendoza struggled against the Texans, throwing a pick-six and finishing 8-of-15 for 86 yards, while Cousins did not play.

San Francisco, meanwhile, is coming off its most convincing preseason performance. The 49ers scored 41 points against the Chargers, with Jacob Cowing returning a punt 83 yards for a touchdown and the team producing an explosive offensive display.

Brock Purdy made his preseason debut in that game and played only one series, completing 4 of 6 passes for 29 yards, so his workload against Las Vegas will be one of the key questions to follow.

What time is the Raiders vs 49ers match?

The Raiders vs 49ers match kicks off on Thursday, August 27, at 8:00 PM ET. The game will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and is the final preseason game for both teams. The Raiders’ official schedule lists a 5:00 PM PT kickoff.

• Eastern Time: 8:00 PM
• Central Time: 7:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 6:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 5:00 PM

For the Raiders, Kirk Cousins has played exactly one drive all preseason, with Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell taking the workload. That might happen again vs. 49ers, and maybe even Jacob Clark could see some snaps.

As for the 49ers, Brock Purdy played the first drive last week, and he might do the same tonight vs Raiders. However, with stars like George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Mike Evans, and Christian Kirk all banged up, head coach Kyle Shanahan might limit his QB to not risk an injury.

Purdy and Mendoza face two very different situations

Purdy is undoubtedly the 49ers starting quarterback. However, he does have a premium backup in Mac Jones. In fact, Jones was very good last season when Purdy was injured. Still, Purdy doesn’t want to feel added pressure and should not try to risk himself much.

As for Mendoza, he is in the middle of a fight with Kirk Cousins over the Raiders’ QB1 spot. He is apparently losing that battle, but strong showings paired with Cousins form could perfectly give him a chance to leapfrog the veteran at any point in the season.

NFL Preseason Week 3 means a lot for some players

While some, like star QBs or even star players elsewhere, see the last preseason game as the last hurdle to avoid injuries, others see this game as the last chance to earn a spot on the 53-man final roster.

Late-round picks, undrafted free agents, veterans on a minimum contract and practice squad players all seek a spot to remain on the team, so the intensity is quite high for some players in these games.

Jeanty was helped off the field by trainers and could not put any weight on his right leg, according to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden. The incident occurred after he dived for a catch and landed awkwardly.

However, according to Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter, the setback is not considered a long-term injury. Jeanty is believed to have sprained his ankle. While Las Vegas is still unsure how long he will be out, it is not considered a long-term injury, and the organization is breathing a sigh of relief.

A significant blow for the Raiders

Jeanty handled a heavy workload for the Raiders as a rookie after being selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Boise State product recorded 266 carries for 975 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while adding 55 receptions for 346 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.

While Jeanty accumulated 1,321 scrimmage yards, he was not particularly efficient between the tackles, as his 3.7 yards per carry ranked 44th league-wide among 49 qualifying running backs. His struggles stemmed in part from an offensive line that allowed him an average of just 1.6 yards before contact per carry, the third-worst mark in the NFL.

Jeanty currently sits as the top running back on the Las Vegas depth chart among five options. According to the squad’s unofficial depth chart, the organization has options to maintain a replacement, though matching his production will likely prove difficult.

• Ashton Jeanty
• Mike Washington Jr.
• Dylan Laube
• Roman Hemby
• Dare Ogunbowale

Who is Ashton Jeanty’s backup?

Mike Washington Jr. is currently listed as the backup to Ashton Jeanty. The Raiders selected the rookie in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft after he rushed for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns on 167 carries during his lone season at Arkansas.

Washington has logged 15 carries for 119 yards across two preseason games thus far. The 6-foot-2, 228-pound running back has also added two catches for 18 yards while solidifying his position as the top option behind Jeanty.

“Jeanty left Sunday’s training camp practice early after suffering an apparent right knee injury,” as reported by ESPN. “As he was being helped off, Jeanty couldn’t put pressure on his right leg. The team did not provide further details on the severity of Jeanty’s injury.“

Expected to be the engine of the team in Sin City, a long-term injury to Jeanty would be catastrophic for the Raiders, let alone a season-ending setback. The organization’s silence surrounding the situation only adds to the suspense, while speculation grows louder that Jeanty may have suffered a severe injury in practice.

Needless to say, losing Jeanty before the 2026 NFL season’s kickoff could derail Las Vegas’ hopes and put rookie quarterback Mendoza in an even more complicated situation. Most likely, the Raiders would have to make a move to bring in a top running back, as the ground-game alternatives are mainly inexperienced talents or simply not at Jeanty’s level.

Las Vegas’ RB depth chart

Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. out of Arkansas has run away with the job behind Jeanty on Las Vegas’ depth chart. Overnight, he could become the Raiders’ new HB1 if Jeanty indeed misses time with a lower-body injury.

In fact, the rookie took over first-team reps in practice after Jeanty had to leave the session with the assistance of trainers. Still, Las Vegas may want to bring in a more experienced tailback.

In addition to Washington Jr., the Raiders have Dylan Laube, Roman Hemby, and Dare Ogunbowale. Clearly, Jeanty is one of one. Las Vegas has no way of truly replacing him. Not in-house, clearly, but not around the league, either—not with a realistic trade target.

Tough blow to Raiders

If a serious injury is confirmed, it will be heartbreaking in more ways than one. With many expecting a great year from Jeanty, this early adversity rains down on what could be—or perhaps could have been—a historic season for one of the most talented and electric young stars in the NFL.

Injuries happen in the NFL, especially in a sport like football, but when they occur in practice, they leave an even sourer taste in everyone’s mouths.

On one side is Kirk Cousins, a proven veteran who signed a five-year, $172 million contract with Las Vegas. In reality, the deal functions as a one-year, fully guaranteed $20 million commitment with a club option covering two additional seasons at $80 million.

On the other side is Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and the quarterback many around the organization view as the future of the franchise. The expectation was that Cousins could help lead the transition while Mendoza develops at his own pace, but a strong season from the veteran could change those plans entirely.

Who will be Raiders’ starting quarterback in 2026 season?

Klint Kubiak still has not decided who will be the Raiders’ starting quarterback for the 2026 regular season. Following the preseason game against the Houston Texans, Kubiak made it clear that the competition remains open and that neither Cousins nor Mendoza should assume the job is theirs.

It’s a clear message from the head coach trying to keep the intensity. “We got another week. I don’t want anyone to be comfortable in their job. It should always be that way for all positions. So, let’s keep going.”

That is an intriguing stance with the regular season approaching. Cousins has the experience and the massive contract, while Mendoza represents the long-term investment at the most important position on the roster.

Kubiak’s decision to keep the competition alive could also be a sign that the Raiders are genuinely considering both possibilities rather than simply preparing Mendoza for a predetermined succession plan.

What’s Raiders’ QB depth chart?

The Raiders’ quarterback depth chart is expected to feature Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell. There appears to be little doubt that O’Connell has secured his place on the roster after delivering a strong performance in Houston.

His preseason showing gave the Raiders another reason to keep him around as an experienced option behind the top two quarterbacks. The only scenario that could change those plans would be a late trade interest from another team.

How to watch Texans vs Raiders in the USA

The Texans vs. Raiders preseason game will air nationally on ESPN and FOX5 Vegas as the local broadcast options. For streaming, fans can watch the game through ESPN Unlimited, Fubo and NFL+.

Can I watch Texans vs Raiders for free?

Fubo offers a 5-day free trial for eligible new subscribers, providing a potential way to watch the Texans vs. Raiders game without paying upfront if the selected plan includes ESPN. Trial availability and terms can vary by plan.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders enter Week 2 of the 2026 NFL Preseason with a valuable opportunity to evaluate their projected starters and roster battles. The game comes just two days after the teams held a joint practice in Houston, giving both coaching staffs an additional competitive setting before Thursday night’s matchup.

For Houston, the biggest storyline is the expected involvement of C.J. Stroud and the first-team offense. The Texans kept several starters out of their preseason opener, a 27-7 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, making this game a much more meaningful evaluation of Stroud, Nico Collins and the offensive line.

The joint practice against Las Vegas also provided a strong test, with Stroud throwing two touchdowns and an interception while the Texans’ defensive front repeatedly pressured both Kirk Cousins and rookie Fernando Mendoza.

The Raiders have their own major quarterback storyline. No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza made his preseason debut against the Arizona Cardinals, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown in a 27-14 loss.

The rookie then received first-team reps during Tuesday’s joint practice with Houston, where he faced one of the NFL‘s most aggressive defensive fronts. Head coach Klint Kubiak has indicated that Mendoza will receive substantial playing time, making the game an important step in his development alongside veteran Cousins.

What time is the Texans vs Raiders match?

The Texans vs. Raiders game kicks off Thursday, August 20, at 8:00 PM ET. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 8:00 PM
• Central Time: 7:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 6:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 5:00 PM

As preseason action ramps up, some head coaches send their best to play at least a couple of drives. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, “Texans quarterback CJ Stroud set to play a few series tonight vs. Raiders along with first-team offensive line… Twenty to 25 plays, roughly.”

Hence, Stroud, whose stock in the NFL has plummeted after a very promising rookie year, needs to look at least good to not raise concerns. The Texans have exercised the fifth-year option for Stroud, which would imply a potential extension is coming, however, nothing is set in stone.

Will Fernando Mendoza play for the Raiders vs Texans?

Fernando Mendoza was the number one overall pick in the NFL Draft, but he is behind veteran Kirk Cousins on the depth chart. Hence, the Raiders will deploy their rookie so he can get some added snaps in his resume.

After the joint practice with Houston, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said Mendoza will get a lot of reps in the game vs Texans. Hence, it’s another opportunity for Mendoza to show his team he can take over if Cousins slips.

Why are Stroud and Mendoza so highly-watched?

Stroud has lots of eyeballs on him because his dip in form after the rookie season has been dramatic. Given that Houston has the best defense in the NFL, the team feels like it’s a quarterback away from contention. However, Stroud’s recent years show that he might not be the QB the Texans can rely on.

As for Mendoza, his College Football career was so great, that it granted him a National Championship and the first overall pick. That alone will put pressure on him. Add the fact that he is on a team desperate for good QB play, and the expectations grow even more.