Kirk Cousins reclaimed his standing Monday as the first-team quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
With perhaps his best practice of training camp.
Suspended by coach Klint Kubiak for the team portion of Saturday’s practice — along with star defensive end Maxx Crosby for their Friday spat toward the end of practice — Cousins was back behind center Monday, spraying passes all over the field on time and on target to Raiders receivers.
He opened the 11-on-11 portion of practice with goal-to-go touchdowns to tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer (opposite pressure that may or may not have gotten to him if he was hittable) and added long gainers to wideout Tre Tucker and Bowers again. Cousins also wedged a pass through traffic on a goal-line rep to receiver Jalen Nailor, who caught a touchdown between converging defenders.
Crosby for his part was fast and active working across from Raiders blockers, leading a unit that generated pressure throughout the course of the 10th practice of training camp.
Here are other observations:
Mendoza picked again
With Cousins leading the first-team offense, Fernando Mendoza quarterbacked the second team devoid of the rhythm he showcased Saturday helping the top unit sans the vet. He misfired twice on goal-line passes capped his practice with a telegraphed pass to Greedy Vance, who jumped an out route and picked off a throw intended for wideout Deven Thompkins.
In between with the second offense, he worked underneath and targeted checkdowns — connecting with wideout Malik Benson back shoulder down the field. Mendoza also completed a bomb to Benson streaking down the sideline, but the play didn’t count as a sack was called.
Benson makes contested catch
Benson’s reception from Mendoza wasn’t his only catch down the field. Working with the first-team offense opposite cornerback Darien Porter, Benson ran a version of a go route and caught the attention of Cousins one-on-one. Cousins targeted Benson’s back shoulder opposite quality coverage from Porter — who later dove to break up a pass intended for wide receiver Dareke Young — allowing the rookie to fight for the ball and complete the catch amid Porter’s contest.
Benson is running with the first team more after starting camp with the twos and threes, with whom he still works regularly.
Masses steps into slot
Rookie fifth-round cornerback Hezekiah Masses has steadily shared first-team reps with Porter opposite Eric Stokes, the team’s top corner. But Masses and Porter shared the field with Stokes in various packages, repping the former for the first team in the slot.
Taron Johnson has been the top nickel corner, also repping at safety so far.
“Every day, even warm ups, every day we’re pushing each other,” Masses said after practice. “We’re trying to get each other better every day, so we’re just pushing each other every day.”
Stukes practicing more with the ones
Rookie second-round safety started Treydan Stukes camp working with the second and third units before easing his way into first-team reps. He repped at safety with the first-team again and also played on the second team — breaking up one of Mendoza’s goal-line passes intended for Thompkins by the front right pylon.
Rogers, Thornton Jr. out
Caleb Rogers missed Monday, having not finished Saturday’s practice. Jackson Powers-Johnson handled the first-team reps again at right guard without Rogers to split them with. Dont’e Thornton missed his second straight practice after not finishing the previous two. Kwity Paye and Keyron Crawford were back in uniform, Crawford in a red one designed for no-contact. Paye and Crawford didn’t participate in 11-on-11.
Tight end Carter Runyon also missed another practice.
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on X.
