Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza made his first NFL start Sunday at Allegiant Stadium against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. The No. 1 overall pick took over after Kirk Cousins was traded to the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, and coach Klint Kubiak said the team is still exploring options for a third quarterback but hopes to avoid a "Plan C."
Mendoza took advantage of an early turnover and ran for a 10-yard touchdown to put Las Vegas ahead. However, star tight end Brock Bowers sustained an ankle injury in the first quarter when his leg was rolled up at the end of a run by Ashton Jeanty. Bowers stayed down on the field before walking to the injury tent under his own power.
Bowers emerged from the tent and went through a brief workout before returning for the end of the opening-drive touchdown. He went to the locker room after Mendoza's touchdown run but later returned to action in the middle of Mendoza's second drive, catching a 12-yard pass that helped the Raiders reach field-goal range and take a 10-7 lead.
The game marked the first NFL start for Mendoza, who took over after the Cousins trade. Kubiak and several Raiders players and coaches faced familiar faces with the Seahawks in town but aimed to treat it like any other game. Las Vegas entered Week 10 with more wins under Kubiak than the team totaled all of last season.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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