Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak defended rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza following the team's preseason finale against the 49ers, suggesting an interception was the fault of wide receiver Jalen Nailor.
Mendoza completed 7-of-14 passes for 57 yards, threw one interception, and was sacked twice in the game. The interception occurred late in the first quarter when Mendoza's pass, thrown high towards Nailor, deflected off the receiver's fingertips and was intercepted.
"I thought it was an excellent throw; he ripped it just like we asked him to, on time," Kubiak told reporters. "Yeah, it was a little bit high; Jalen’s gotta make a play."
The Raiders' wide receiver depth has been a concern. Kubiak's comments appear to be an effort to maintain Mendoza's confidence as he navigates his rookie season, likely beginning as the team's backup.
Mendoza's preseason performance started strong in the opener against the Cardinals but showed some of the typical struggles of a rookie in the subsequent two games. Over the entire preseason, Mendoza was 25-of-45 passing for 240 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions, and was sacked four times.