Las Vegas Raiders

Brock Bowers

TE

When asked if an absence of 1-to-2 games was an accurate expectation, Kubiak replied, "I'm not going to talk about timelines," per Sam Warren of The Athletic. All eyes will be on Bowers' practice participation (or lack thereof) next week. For now, the Raiders have Michael Mayer ticketed for a large role at tight end, with Ian Thomas and various WRs also in the mix to pick up some unexpected snaps in Bowers' absence this Sunday against the Dolphins.

Ashton Jeanty

RB

Jeanty cleared up any concern about his availability for the opener by turning in a full practice Wednesday, two and a half weeks after he sustained what initially appeared to be a serious-looking ankle injury during an Aug. 23 training camp session. The running back practiced again Thursday, and barring any setbacks, he'll draw the Week 1 start for the Raiders. However, because of the amount of workouts Jeanty missed late in camp while recovering from the ankle injury, the Raiders could look to manage his workload to some degree in the opener and open up more reps for rookie Mike Washington, per Dan Graziano of ESPN.com.

Mike Washington Jr.

RB

Washington impressed the Raiders' coaching staff in the preseason, during which the rookie fourth-round pick rushed for 168 yards on 23 carries across three games, averaging a robust 7.3 YPC. Jeanty has returned to full practice participation in the week leading up to Sunday's regular-season opener against the Dolphins, but the 2025 first-round pick missed a chunk of practice time due to the ankle injury he suffered Aug. 23. With Jeanty still shaking off the cobwebs, Washington is primed for some added opportunities in his regular-season debut as the Raiders face the Dolphins in a battle between two teams expected to finish near the bottom of the standings this season.

Treydan Stukes

S

The rookie second-rounder is slated to start alongside fellow safety Jeremy Chinn in the secondary, with Isaiah Pola-Mao, Dalton Johnson and Tristin McCollum providing depth at the position. Stukes put together a strong training camp and finished the preseason with 10 tackles (five solo) across three games. He'll be part of a defensive unit that was middle-of-the-pack in passing yards allowed per game (201.0) during the 2025 regular season.

Michael Mayer

TE

Bowers missed five games in 2025 due to a PCL injury and bone bruise in his left knee, and Mayer suited up in four of those contests and logged 90-plus-percent snap shares in all of them. In those four games, Mayer put together an 18-196-1 receiving line on 24 targets, a level of production that could make him an appealing lineup option in both DFS and season-long leagues in Week 1.

Dont'e Thornton Jr.

WR

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Dylan Laube

RB

Jeanty suffered a low-ankle sprain during the Raiders' training camp practice Aug. 23. The relief for the Raiders was that it wasn't a high-ankle sprain or worse, and although there's optimism around Jeanty playing Week 1, the injury could limit his effectiveness and playing time. That would open the door for both Mike Washington and Laube to operate in expanded roles on offense, with the latter also seeing the field on special teams as a kickoff returner.

Fernando Mendoza

QB

Mendoza was in the competition all offseason, but it was going to take some otherworldly play to knock Cousins out of the top spot on the depth chart. While Cousins completed 13 of 17 passes for 101 yards and one touchdown across 30 preseason snaps, Mendoza struggled some, completing just 26 of 46 passes for 250 yards, one touchdown and a pair of interceptions during exhibition action. Cousins is likely to have a decently long leash to begin the season, but Mendoza remains a good bet to make starts as a rookie.

Kirk Cousins

QB

It was a decision everyone expected and comes as no surprise after Cousins worked with the first-team offense all offseason. Cousins played 30 offensive snaps during the preseason and completed 13 of 17 pass attempts for 101 yards and one touchdown, while rookie No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza was more scattershot, completing just 26 of 46 passes for 250 yards, one touchdown and a pair of picks. Cousins should have a somewhat long leash to begin the season, but Mendoza remains very likely to see rookie-year playing time.

Darrell Luter Jr.

CB

Las Vegas waived cornerback Decamerion Richardson to make room on the 53-man roster for Luter, a 2023 fifth-round pick who had spent each of his first three seasons in San Francisco. He served as a depth piece in the 49ers secondary in 2025, appearing in all 17 games during the regular season while recording 28 tackles, one pass breakup and one fumble recovery. Luter could be in line for a more pronounced role in Las Vegas, where he'll face lesser competition for reps at cornerback.

Carter Runyon

TE

Runyon did not play in the preseason, and he's dealing with an undisclosed injury ahead of the 2026 campaign. The tight end will be forced to miss at least four contests to open the regular season, and the earliest he could return to action is Week 5 versus the Patriots on Oct. 11. Runyon was primarily as a special-teams asset in 2025, so his absence won't carry much of an impact on offense.

Keyron Crawford

DE

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.

Jack Bech

WR

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.

Matt Gay

PK

Gay made field goals from 37, 53, 45 and 48 yards while missing one from 54 yards. The veteran kicker had a strong overall showing, accounting for all 12 of the Raiders' points in the preseason finale. The 32-year-old appears ready for the mid-range challenges, but he once again may struggle from 50-plus yards, making just four of nine attempts during the 2025 season (44 percent).

Malik Benson

WR

The sixth-round rookie has been a roster assumption due to the draft capital utilized on him, but back-to-back poor showings in the preseason do not leave much to be excited about so far. Benson has had a strong training camp despite the game-time struggles, so it remains to be seen how high his usage could be as the regular season gets underway.

Jalen Nailor

WR

Nailor led the Raiders in targets and finished tied for second in receptions. The fifth-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 and final one 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. Nailor 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.

Tre Tucker

WR

Tucker led the Raiders in receptions and receiving yards on a night when Las Vegas netted just 138 passing yards overall. Tucker, Las Vegas' 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 the 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.

Chigozie Anusiem

CB

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.

Justin Pickett

G

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Brennan Jackson

LB

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Jermod McCoy

CB

Folorunso Fatukasi

DT

Fatukasi worked out with the Giants in late July but waited through training camp to sign with an organization. The veteran defensive tackle now joins the Raiders, looking to provide some depth on the interior defensive line. Fatukasi slots in behind Tonka Hemingway, Benito Jones and Brandon Cleveland. However, he Jets' 2018 sixth-rounder is likely just a preseason addition to bolster the rotation for next Thursday's game against the Texans.

Caleb Rogers

G

Rogers was unavailable for practice Monday while tending to an undisclosed injury but was back in action one day later. The offensive lineman was a third round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he's on track to serve as a reserve option behind starters Spencer Burford and Jackson Powers-Johnson at offensive guard this season.

Chris Collier

RB

Collier will return to the Raiders after being waived/injured by the team Friday, and he is now set to spend the entirety of the 2026 campaign on IR unless the two sides reach an injury settlement down the road. Collier spent the entirety of the 2025 season with the Raiders' practice squad, and he may now be forced to shift his sights to a return to the field in 2027.

Adam Butler

DT