The Raiders used Thursday night in Houston the way a second preseason game is supposed to be used: as a long, hard look at the back end of the roster.
With nearly all of Las Vegas’ offensive and defensive starters sitting out under Klint Kubiak, the reserves got the stage against the Texans. For a team rebuilding after years of failed draft picks and free agency moves, those snaps matter. The Raiders need more than their stars to carry a 17-game season, and this was a useful night for Kubiak and general manager John Spytek to sort through some of the competition.
One of the clearest beneficiaries was Segun Olubi. The Raiders signed Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean to help stabilize a linebacker group that had been bare after the 2025 season, and they also added Olubi as a veteran piece. He’s expected to help most on special teams, but his work Thursday suggested his defensive value might be getting overlooked.
Dean has a history of health issues, and while Tommy Eichenberg is currently ahead of Olubi on the depth chart, that separation does not feel locked in. Olubi has looked at least as good as Eichenberg in training camp and both preseason games, and if the Raiders are serious about real competition across the roster, he needs a bigger role next week against the San Francisco 49ers. If Dean goes down, Eichenberg and Olubi would both be in line for a major jump in playing time, so the Raiders should be ready.
The same goes for new defensive tackle Adam Butler. Las Vegas signed Fatukasi just a few days ago to add depth on the defensive line, and he answered with multiple solid plays against Houston. Some of those showed up in the stat sheet, some didn’t, but the overall impact was exactly what the Raiders are looking for inside.
Fatukasi’s size and agility stood out, and he looks like someone Las Vegas should strongly consider giving more snaps to. That could help keep Tonka Hemingway fresh while also preserving the depth the Raiders have built at the position.
Fatukasi still needs more reps and probably more conditioning, but those things can come with time. The bigger point is that he may have already made a case to climb higher on the depth chart.
Another rookie who helped himself was Stukes, who was all over the field and showed the speed, quickness and physicality the Raiders want at safety. He flashed on multiple plays and looked like a young player starting to catch up to the pace of pro football. The regular season will be a different test, but Thursday offered a promising sign that he’s moving in the right direction.
Zuhn also made his case in a tough assignment, lining up repeatedly against former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney is not the player he once was, but he’s still in the league for a reason, and Zuhn had his ups and downs while mostly holding up well.
The night reinforced the idea that Las Vegas has real plans for him, and that the decision to draft him was a smart one. The Raiders still have to figure out exactly where he fits best, but that answer seems closer now than it did before.
Up front, both defensive ends made their presence felt by forcing fumbles against the Texans. Johnson backed that up with a second straight strong preseason outing after a strong training camp. Both players earned more attention with what they did Thursday, and both have given the coaching staff something to think about before the final preseason game.
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Aidan OConnell May Have Just Ended A Raiders QB Debate
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For a team still sorting out its quarterback pecking order, that kind of finish carries real weight. OConnell has been working to lock down the No. 2 job behind Kirk Cousins, and a poise-filled comeback drive in the preseason is exactly the sort of showing that can tilt a debate in his favor, even if the final call is still waiting to be made. [Read more 🡒]