The Las Vegas Raiders will try to end a three-game losing streak Sunday when they host the Los Angeles Rams at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders opened the season 3-0 but have dropped three straight since then.
Coach Klint Kubiak spoke with reporters Friday at the team's Henderson headquarters. He confirmed that rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. earned additional practice reps after leading the team with 43 rushing yards in last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Kubiak also said the offense must fix its stagnant first drives of the third quarter, an issue that has persisted through six weeks. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is tied for the league lead with 14 touchdown passes and ranks fifth with 1,582 passing yards, also met with the media ahead of the game.
The Rams will be without star receiver Puka Nacua, a Las Vegas native, who suffered a calf injury three days before the matchup. On the defensive side, rookie safety Treydan Stukes was targeted three times on third down against Buffalo and forced field goals on each occasion, a sign of his development according to the Review-Journal.
In a separate matter, Bills defensive back Sam Franklin had his punishment reduced to a fine after the NFL initially claimed he spit at Raiders players during Sunday's game. Franklin denies the allegation and is appealing the suspension.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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