Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak announced that the team intends to play its starters in the preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, with rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza slated to receive extensive experience.
Mendoza, who is listed second on the team's unofficial depth chart behind veteran Kirk Cousins, will be given "plenty of experience" in his first NFL game. While the exact distribution of snaps among the quarterbacks has not been specified, Kubiak indicated that a plan is in place for the first-, second-, and third-team units.
Cousins, a 15-year veteran, is considered the primary starter. For him, a limited number of series would allow him to regain rhythm in Kubiak's offense while minimizing the risk of injury before the regular season begins. Mendoza recently had an opportunity to lead the first-team offense during practice when Cousins was held out following an on-field incident with Maxx Crosby. During that scrimmage period, Mendoza threw three touchdown passes.
Quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan has reportedly been impressed with Mendoza's ability to correct mistakes as the Raiders integrate Kubiak's offensive scheme. Mendoza joined the Raiders after a college career that saw him transfer from Cal to Indiana, where he won the Heisman Trophy and led the Hoosiers to a national championship.
The Raiders aim to balance developing Mendoza, who the team cannot afford to keep entirely on the sideline, with the need to protect him behind an offensive line for a team that finished last season with a 3-14 record. Thursday's game is intended to provide an initial public assessment of Mendoza's readiness to potentially take on a starting role.