Overview
- The Raiders finished the preseason with an 18-12 loss to the 49ers on Thursday, leaving Kirk Cousins as the steady option after he completed 8 of 11 passes for 51 yards.
- Rookie No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza struggled in the finale, finishing 7 of 14 for 57 yards with an interception and two sacks, and coach Klint Kubiak said the rookie "needs another three preseason games" to develop.
- Analysts and team reporters flagged the offensive and defensive lines for poor protection and inconsistent play, a shortcoming that directly contributed to Mendoza facing heavy pressure and to the offense's lack of explosion.
- Fourth-round rookie Mike Washington Jr. continued to push for a roster spot by rushing 8 times for 49 yards in the game and totaling 168 preseason yards, giving the Raiders a plausible short-term answer if Ashton Jeanty is unavailable.
- Late injuries to rookie Keyron Crawford (ankle) and a sprained ankle for Ashton Jeanty increase uncertainty ahead of the Aug. 30 cutdown and raise the risk that the Raiders must protect developmental players from practice‑squad poaching.