No. 1 Pick Fernando Mendoza to Get 'Plenty of Reps' in Raiders Preseason Opener

Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza will see significant action in Thursday's preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, according to coach Klint Kubiak.

Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the April NFL draft, is scheduled to receive significant playing time in Thursday's preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed Tuesday from Henderson, Nevada, that the first-year signal-caller will get "plenty of reps" as the coaching staff seeks to evaluate the roster. While veteran Kirk Cousins remains the designated starter for the regular season, Mendoza is expected to take snaps with members of the Raiders' first-team offensive line during this exhibition contest.

Kubiak stated that while the starters are slated to play, the team has not finalized the specific number of drives or snaps each player will participate in. Mendoza has spent the majority of training camp working with the second-team unit. However, the rookie earned his first opportunity to practice with the starters this past Saturday. This shift occurred after Cousins was held out of practice following a physical altercation with defensive end Maxx Crosby.

Training Camp Performance and Evaluation

Coach Kubiak highlighted Mendoza's preparation and his ability to translate classroom learning to the practice field throughout the summer. The coaching staff has specifically noted the rookie's capacity for making adjustments and his consistency in avoiding repeated mistakes. Despite these positive indicators in a controlled environment, Kubiak emphasized that the upcoming game against Arizona represents a new challenge, describing the transition to live game action as "a whole other animal."

Evaluation remains the primary goal for the Raiders' coaching staff during this Thursday matchup. Kubiak expressed eagerness to see Mendoza operate alongside his teammates in a competitive setting. The rookie's performance will be measured by how he handles the speed of an actual game compared to the drills conducted at the team's facility in Henderson.

Roster Status and Defensive Updates

While the quarterback rotation is taking shape, the status of three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Maxx Crosby remains uncertain for the preseason opener. Crosby is currently recovering from offseason knee surgery, and Kubiak noted that the organization is still in the process of evaluating whether he will suit up against the Cardinals. The decision regarding Crosby’s participation will likely depend on his physical progress leading up to kickoff.

Kirk Cousins was named the starting quarterback at the very beginning of training camp, establishing a clear hierarchy behind which Mendoza has developed. The rookie's upcoming performance against the Arizona defense will serve as the first live-action data point for the Raiders since they utilized their top draft pick on the young quarterback in April.

Strategic Approach to Preseason Repetitions

Raiders management is balancing the need to protect veteran assets with the necessity of developing their high-profile rookie. By integrating Mendoza with the first-team offensive line, the coaching staff aims to provide the No. 1 pick with a realistic look at NFL pocket protection. Kubiak remains focused on the collective evaluation of "a lot of guys," ensuring that the preseason opener serves as a comprehensive scouting tool for the entire depth chart.

As the Raiders prepare for the Thursday kickoff, the emphasis remains on Mendoza’s ability to maintain his training camp composure under the lights. The team will continue to monitor the chemistry between the rookie and the primary offensive blockers during the remaining practice sessions leading into the game against the Cardinals.