Mike Washington Jr. wasted no time making a case for himself in the Raiders’ preseason opener.
Las Vegas didn’t beat the Arizona Cardinals, but the result barely matters in August. What matters now is which young players can turn first snaps into real momentum, and Washington put himself in that conversation right away.
The rookie ran six times for 63 yards, and the headliner was a 53-yard burst that showed off the kind of vision and quick reaction that can change a drive in a blink. Strip away that one long run and the stat line looks quieter - five carries for 10 yards - but that doesn’t erase the impact of the explosive play. It’s the sort of rep that sticks on tape and gives both player and coaches something to build on.
That’s the bigger picture for Washington over the next two weeks. As the Raiders’ starters eventually see their preseason work shrink, more of those snaps should fall to rookies and roster hopefuls. Washington looks like one of the players positioned to benefit most from that shift, with a chance to log meaningful run in the final two preseason games.
The challenge won’t be soft. Las Vegas is set to face the Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers, two defenses that should provide a real test, even if it’s unclear which defenders will actually suit up or how long they’ll stay in the game. Still, those are the kinds of opportunities Washington needs if he’s going to keep flashing his explosiveness and physicality as a runner.
The Raiders are expected to lean on Ashton Jeanty this season as Klint Kubiak works to establish the run game. When Jeanty needs a breather, Washington is the one the team is expected to call on. That makes these preseason reps more than just extra touches - they’re a chance to prove he can handle a bigger load behind the rookie back Las Vegas plans to feature.
Washington already gave the Raiders a glimpse of what he can do. Now he has two more chances to turn that glimpse into something more lasting. If he keeps popping runs like the one he broke Thursday night, he’ll keep making it easier for the Raiders to trust him once the games start counting.
In Other News...
Brock Bowers' Absence Just Put Raiders Fans On Edge
Brock Bowers was nowhere to be found at a recent Raiders practice, and the silence around it was almost as notable as the absence itself. The All-Pro tight end did not participate in the session, while Tonka Hemingway and Carter Runyon were also missing, leaving Las Vegas to shuffle extra reps to its other tight ends as camp work continued.
For a team that leans on Bowers as one of its most important pieces, any missed practice naturally draws a close look, especially after he was limited at points in his second season. The Raiders have not offered an injury designation or any explanation for why he sat out, which leaves a familiar kind of practice-day suspense hanging over a player fans are watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Overlooked Raiders Just Gave The Coaching Staff Early Roster Answers
The Raiders preseason opener against the Cardinals offered more than the usual first-game rust and rotation work. For a roster still sorting out the bottom half of the depth chart, a few under-the-radar performances stood out, especially along the line of scrimmage. Charles Grant, Atonio Mafi and Caleb Rogers all showed strong blocking effort, giving the staff a better look at who can handle the physical side of camp battles as the team keeps trimming the roster picture.
On the other side of the ball, Treven Ma'ae, Greedy Vance Jr., Cody Lindenberg and Dalton Johnson each made their presence felt with tackles and coverage work that can matter a lot in August. Even special teams got a small but meaningful answer, with long snapper Tyler Duzansky turning in a solid outing and grading higher than his competition. None of it guarantees anything this early, but it does give Las Vegas some early clues about which overlooked players are making a legitimate case to stick around. [Read more 🡒]
Michael Mayer Could Be The Raiders Answer On Offense
Michael Mayers first preseason look in 2026 offered another reminder of why the Raiders have been so intrigued by his fit in the offense. The tight end flashed as a receiver in the opener, and with Las Vegas now bringing in veteran quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza, the passing game has a chance to look more stable around him.
Mayer is expected to be part of a two-headed tight end attack with Brock Bowers, giving the Raiders a pair of capable options in a scheme that still wants to lean on a physical run game. For a team looking to build something more balanced and dependable, that kind of usage could turn Mayer into a much bigger piece of the offense than he has been in previous stretches. [Read more 🡒]