HENDERSON, Nev. – In a surprising turn of events during Las Vegas Raiders training camp, quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive end Maxx Crosby found themselves suspended from team drills following an altercation that erupted during practice. The incident occurred when Cousins, visibly frustrated after Crosby tipped his pass leading to an incompletion, charged at the much larger defensive end. This scuffle required intervention from teammates to separate the two players.
Coach Klint Kubiak addressed the incident succinctly, emphasizing the team’s expectations for conduct during practice. “We have very clear expectations about how we want to practice, how you go about our business,” Kubiak stated. “We violated that yesterday, so we held those guys out. That’s all I’m going to say about it. We addressed it with the team and we’re moving on.”
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With Cousins sidelined, rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza seized the opportunity to lead the starting offense for the first time. Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy at Indiana and was the first overall pick in the NFL draft, showcased his talent by throwing touchdown passes to tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, as well as wide receiver Tre Tucker. Although he faced challenges against the starting defense, Mendoza displayed agility and the ability to evade pressure, which are promising signs for his development.
“Fernando continues to improve, and the thing I think we’re very pleased about is from spring to the start of camp, there were some parts of this game we wanted him to improve upon and he has as we’ve added different layers and dimensions,” quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan remarked. “He’s not repeating mistakes, which is always a good thing. It’s a long process. We’re pleased with how he’s developing.”
As the Raiders prepare for their upcoming preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals, Kubiak has indicated that Mendoza will have opportunities to run the first-team offense throughout camp. This situation could prove beneficial for the young quarterback as he gears up for live game action.
Cousins is anticipated to start when the regular season commences, although Kubiak has remained non-committal about the quarterback situation moving forward. It is widely believed that Mendoza will eventually take over the starting role as the season progresses, depending on his development and performance.
In terms of injuries, wide receiver Jalen Nailor returned to practice after missing time due to an unspecified issue. However, defensive ends Kwity Paye and Keyron Crawford, along with wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr., remained sidelined. Offensive lineman Caleb Rogers, who is competing for the right guard position, experienced a brief injury scare but returned to practice shortly after.
“I feel great,” Rogers said, remaining optimistic about his condition.
As the Raiders navigate the complexities of training camp, the focus remains on fostering a competitive atmosphere while ensuring player conduct aligns with team standards. With the preseason just around the corner, all eyes will be on how these dynamics play out on the field.
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