Raiders initial 53-man roster notes
· Yahoo Sports
The Las Vegas Raiders have set their initial 53-man roster. Here are some thoughts on the moves.
It was no surprise the Raiders kept third-string quarterback Aidan O’Connell behind Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza. Coach Klint Kubiak said it was a real possibility. The only question was if the Raiders would trade O’Connell. Now, it will be interesting to see if, as expected, Cousins starts Week 1, whether Mendoza or O’Connell will be the second-string quarterback in the regular season.
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Third-round pick, defensive end Keyron Crawford (ankle) was placed on the injured reserve and will miss the season. That hurts. Patrick Johnson will play a key backup role.
Tight end Carter Runyon (undisclosed) is starting the season on the injured reserve. He must, miss, at least, four games. Receiver Dont’e Thornton, who hasn’t practiced in more than three weeks for an undisclosed reason, is on the roster. As expected, starting running back Ashton Jeanty wasn’t placed on the injured reserve, so the team expects him to be back by Week 4 at the latest. He injured his ankle a week ago.
The Raiders cut veteran running back Dare Ogunbowale. I could see Las Vegas trying to the position in the coming days, perhaps looking for a veteran to complement a young tailback group with just three tailbacks on the roster.
Defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi, a late signing, made the team after flashing in the run game.
It will be interesting to see if undrafted rookie pass-rusher Cian Slone gets claimed. He had a terrific preseason. If he isn’t claimed, the Raiders will likely try to add him to the practice squad Monday.
Something to remember about waiver clams Monday. Usually, about 30 players are claimed day after cut-down. That's not a lot. A player like Slone could be claimed, but you remember there are a ton of players available with an average of about 1 player being claimed per team.
— Bill Williamson (@BWilliamsonNFL) August 30, 2026
Miami cut quarterback Cam Miller. Perhaps John Spytek, who drafted Miller in the sixth round last season, will try to sign him to the practice squad. He spent most of last season there before the Dolphins signed him to the 53-man roster late in the year.
Seventh-round pick, Brandon Cleveland, was the only of the Raiders’ 10 draft picks to be waived.