Raiders rookie named Defensive Player of the Week in 1st career start

A hell of a start to a career for Raiders CB Hezekiah Masses. The fifth round rookie had his first career start on Sunday against the Chargers. He went out and loudly introduced himself to the NFL, including picking off two passes in a Las Vegas win. The effort has earned Masses AFC Defensive Player

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A hell of a start to a career for Raiders CB Hezekiah Masses. The fifth round rookie had his first career start on Sunday against the Chargers. He went out and loudly introduced himself to the NFL, including picking off two passes in a Las Vegas win.

The effort has earned Masses AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Zeke and destroy 🎯

Hezekiah Masses has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week!

📰: https://t.co/k1t3ndUztM pic.twitter.com/8Ylyh7FoJQ

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 23, 2026

Masses first appeared in a game in the season opener, replacing injured start Darien Porter late in the game. Over his five quarters of play, Masses has played lights out football from the left cornerback spot.

He has been targeted seven times and allowed just two catches in his coverage for

16 total yards along with the two interceptions and three pass breakups. He is one of just two cornerbacks in the NFL to allow a 0.0 passer rating from opposing quarterbacks this season along with Rams CB Trent McDuffie.

Masses is also up for Pepsi Rookie of the Week. An award he obviously deserves to win.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders rookie named Defensive Player of the Week in 1st career start