Woah, hold up, Raider Nation. Two key players, quarterback Kirk Cousins and running back Ashton Jeanty, were both sidelined for Wednesday’s practice, and that’s a head-scratcher for real. Reporters on the scene confirmed both guys were out of the session, and the timing here, with the season just around the corner, is definitely making some noise.
Cousins’ Absence: What’s the Deal?
Okay, so Jeanty’s absence is down to an ankle injury. That’s rough, but at least we know what’s up. With Cousins, though? The reason for him sitting out is totally unknown. What gives, right? He did show his face on the field before the media viewing window closed, rocking a red jersey and a hat. That *could* be a sign he was just getting a rest day, but when your starting QB isn’t fully participating and the reason isn’t clear, it’s gonna raise some eyebrows. Head coach Klint Kubiak is expected to give us some answers after practice, so we’re all waiting on that.
Next Man Up: Fernando Mendoza Gets His Shot
With Cousins out, it was rookie Fernando Mendoza who stepped in and handled the quarterback duties for the first-team offense. While Mendoza isn’t expected to get nearly as many reps once the regular season actually kicks off, this surprise opportunity is huge for his development. It’s a chance for him to get valuable snaps with the starters before the team really dives deep into preparing for their first big matchup. The Raiders are getting ready to play the Dolphins on September 13, and every rep, especially for a rookie, counts big time. We gotta wonder how much this impacts their prep for Miami.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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