The Las Vegas Raiders weren’t ready for success against the New England Patriots, but Fernando Mendoza, summoned Sunday, was ready to maximize his chance.
“He was prepared. He played fast,” coach Klint Kubiak said Monday afternoon. “He got through his progressions quickly. He knew his hot issues. It was a solid start for him.”
If nobody else.
Kubiak presented his review of his team’s 45-17 beatdown loss at Intermountain Health Performance Center, once again bearing the blame for the Raiders. The circumstances allowed Mendoza to make his NFL debut with 6:06 to play, completing 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards while leading Las Vegas down the field.
“I think with any reps that you get, it’s going to make you better,” Kubiak said, assessing the rookie as the Raiders look to rebound Sunday against the Buffalo Bills at Allegiant Stadium. “The live game reps are the best medicine, but him just getting time with our starting offensive line in an on the road environment was a very positive experience for him. Although it wasn’t for us.”
Here are other takeaways from Kubiak’s news conference:
O-line a work in progress: Amid the way the Patriots pressured the Raiders and bottled up the rushing offense, Kubiak said the offensive line is under evaluation. Las Vegas quarterback Kirk Cousins was under duress when he dropped back to pass as running back Ashton Jeanty averaged 2.7 yards per carry.
The Raiders are last in the NFL in yards per carry.
Las Vegas has rolled with the five-man unit of Kolton Miller, Spencer Burford, Tyler Linderbaum, Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze. Caleb Rogers replaced Powers-Johnson at right guard during the Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and the last six snaps of the Week 3 win over the New Orleans Saints.
“We have to look at everything. We have to improve there,” Kubiak said. “And something I’ve been saying for multiple weeks now that’s not getting done. So as a coaching staff, this falls on me to get it fixed.”
Mike Washington Jr., Dylan Laube updates: Washington, the explosive rookie backup to Jeanty who shined in the preseason, had carry Sunday for 5 yards, ceding passing downs to Laube. With Jeanty hobbled by a sore foot and ankle, Kubiak was asked what Washington would need to improve to field more carries.
‘I think he just needs more opportunities, and that starts with me too,” Kubiak said. Washington played five snaps Sunday compared to 23 for Laube, who rushed for his career touchdown.
Added Kubiak: “Dylan has been a really good protection back for us and that gets you into the game on third down and gets you in the game in passing situations. And he’s been very reliable on special teams. Just overall — very reliable player that’s an ascending player.”
Darien Porter, Hezekiah Masses competing at CB: Porter and Masses split cornerback duties Sunday opposite Eric Stokes. Porter fielded the lion’s share, playing 50 snaps to 25 for Masses. Porter was the Week 1 starter at No. 2 corner, edging Masses during camp.
Masses assumed a spot on the first team with Porter sustaining a Week 1 foot injury, but Kubiak said the two are positioned to compete this week for the Week 6 starting spot.
Said Kubiak when asked about Porter: “He’s a guy that was starting, lost his job for a week, and is so mentally tough that he came back in and played really good football yesterday, and played very competitive. And that’s not a surprise. That’s the kind of guy that he is, and he’s just going to continue to get better, and him and (Masses) will compete for that job.”
Injuries: Defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway is in concussion protocol after leaving the field in the first half Sunday, Kubiak said. Wide receiver Jalen Nailor — who sat out Sunday with a concussion — is expected to return to practice, per Kubiak, who said wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. is expected “to keep taking another jump” as he works his way back from a hamstring injury.
Thornton returned to practice this week, remaining so far on injured reserve.
“He’s got to go compete in practice and show us that he’s ready to go,” Kubiak said.
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on X.
