The Fernando Mendoza (preseason) era begins Thursday night when the Las Vegas Raiders host the Arizona Cardinals with a 5 p.m. PT kickoff.
Tuesday, new Las Vegas head coach Klint Kubiak said, Mendoza, the No. 1 overall draft pick, will get “plenty of experience” in the game. He did not indicate how much Mendoza will play, but he did say he may play some with the first-team offensive line.
Mendoza is listed second on the newly released depth chart, so he will likely play after Kirk Cousins and before
Aidan O’Connell. Kubiak wouldn’t say how much the starters will play, only saying most of them will play.
Kubiak said he doesn’t know if star defensive end Maxx Crosby will pay in the game he returns from knee surgery. Crosby has been practicing in training camp. Kubiak did say he expects rookie cornerback Jermod McCoy will play. He hasn’t played since a 2024 knee injury.
As for as his own debut as a head coach and offensive playcaller, Kubiak said it will be a “baptism by fire.”
