Fernando Mendoza’s first training camp as a Las Vegas Raiders quarterback is over. How did coach Klint Kubiak assess his showing the last few weeks?
“I’d say it’s his first one,” Kubiak said after Tuesday’s practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center. “It’s baptism by fire every day at all positions. Especially rookie quarterbacks. I see an improving player that we’ve just got to keep being hard on to get better.”
Training camp concluded Tuesday with Thursday’s preseason finale — against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium — in tow with the Raiders shifting their practice cadence toward what it would be in the regular season. Special teams periods on the indoor field preceded 11-on-11 periods and walk-throughs outside with Mendoza fielding some first-team snaps against a scout-team defense in a red-zone period.
Presumptive starting quarterback Kirk Cousins handled the rest of the first-team reps, though Mendoza threw touchdowns against the scout to tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer. While quarterbacking the second team, Mendoza delivered a dime down the field over the middle to wide receiver Deven Thompkins, among his favorite targets during camp. On another play in 11-on-11 (while rolling right amid relentless pressure that likely would’ve resulted in a sack) he was nearly picked by safety Tristin McCollum on the sideline while targeting rookie wide receiver Malik Benson, who later made a stellar catch from him in traffic.
Here are other observations from Tuesday’s practice:
Right guard rotation … continues: Jackson Powers-Johnson and Caleb Rogers capped training camp in competition, rotating at first-team right guard as they have their last several practices together. Kubiak didn’t specify who would (or wouldn’t) play against San Francisco but indicated that Powers-Johnson — who got more reps Tuesday with the first team — and Rogers will continue competing through the preseason finale.
“This game will be really important for that battle,” Kubiak said. “Both those guys are going to play this year. We’re counting on them — as well as a lot of other guys. So, this competition has only made them better and our team better.”
Treydan Stukes staying with the starters: The rookie safety and second-round draft pick played with the first-team defense again, teaming with safety Jeremy Chinn. Incumbent starter Isaiah Pola-Mao mostly played with the second team, with which Stukes was playing earlier in camp.
Asked why Stukes is fielding snaps with the first-team defense, Kubiak said “He’s around the ball a lot.”
Benson flashing return-game juice: Benson has been among the standouts throughout the course of training camp, maximizing his first-team reps as he has built a connection with Mendoza on the second team. A accomplished punt returner in college, he also showcased his speed and burst during Tuesday’s punt-return drills.
“(He’s looked) good in practice,” special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis said. “Unfortunately, we just haven’t got any reps for him in the game. Just hasn’t worked out that way with his play time.”
Mike Washington Jr. leads the backfield: With running back Ashton Jeanty missing practice — having injured his right ankle Sunday afternoon — the fourth-round rookie filled again with Dylan Laube working behind him. Behind the duo is Dare Ogunbowale, who moonlighted with the first-team offense.
Absences: Joining Jeanty among absentees were wide receiver Dont’e Thornton again, wide receiver Chase Roberts and tight end Carter Runyon again. Kubiak was hopeful Thornton would play in the preseason, but it doesn’t seem likely amid his longstanding absence.
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon.
