RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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A week into the preseason, Fernando Mendoza is still very much the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed quarterback that won the Heisman Trophy, national championship and attention of America last season during his storybook 2025 campaign at Indiana.
Mendoza, this year's No. 1 overall pick, continues to endear, dodging swear words like they're heat-seeking pass rushers and raving about the facilities of his new team, the Las Vegas Raiders. The fanfare kept coming after his preseason debut , in which he completed 10-of-16 passes against the Arizona Cardinals and threw a touchdown that capped a 10-play, 79-yard drive. He clocked out with 97 yards through the air and, as usual, a smile on his face .
Mendoza, currently the backup for four-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins, is primed for plenty of more action Thursday night versus the Houston Texans. He might not have to face Houston's defensive stars, but he'll still have to navigate the depth of a vaunted unit.
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Here's a look at who else is in and out for Thursday night's NFL preseason schedule:
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Houston Texans
Notables playing: QB Fernando Mendoza (Raiders), QB C.J. Stroud (Texans), RB Woody Marks (Texans)
Notables out: G Jackson Powers-Johnson (Raiders)
The Raiders and Texans have been training together this week. Because of that joint-practice work, Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans decided he would rest most of his starters in the exhibition . That same day, the Texans reportedly got word that second-year wideout Jayden Higgins — whom Houston selected in the second round out of Iowa State in 2025 — is out for the season with an ACL tear he suffered in practice this week .
#Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud set to play a few series tonight vs. #Raiders along with first-team offensive line, including guard-center Keylan Rutledge and running back Woody Marks, per league source. Twenty to 25 plays, roughly. Texans defensive starters expected to be…
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 20, 2026
But KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson reported on Thursday that Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is set to play a few series against the Raiders. Blocking in front of him will be Houston's starting offensive line, per Wilson, who also noted that running back Woody Marks will be part of that group seeing action for around 20-25 plays. That said, the Texans are reportedly planning on sitting their defensive starters.
When speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Las Vegas head coach Klint Kubiak left the door open for his starters to play in Houston on Thursday. When asked if they would, he said "we'll see," according to The Athletic's Sam Warren .
Kubiak did disclose, however, that Mendoza, who spent a good bit of time with the ones that day in the joint practice, will get a lot of reps versus the Texans. It's also known that right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson likely will be sidelined for the matchup. Kubiak said he's not expecting Powers-Johnson to suit up after he got banged up in Monday's practice.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Notables playing: QB Justin Herbert (Chargers), RB Omarion Hampton (Chargers), WR Ladd McConkey (Chargers), * QB Brock Purdy (49ers), WR De'Zhaun Stribling (49ers)
Notables out: LT Rashawn Slater (Chargers), C Tyler Biadasz (Chargers), WR Mike Evans (49ers)
*italics indicate a player is likely to play
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed earlier this week that his starters will play one series against the San Francisco 49ers. That means quarterback Justin Herbert will take his first in-game snaps with Mike McDaniel coordinating the offense . Herbert's operation in the new scheme will be monitored and so will the play of second-year running back Omarion Hampton, who's coming off an injury-riddled rookie campaign. Hampton teased his potential with 737 scrimmage yards and five total touchdowns over nine games last season.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said this week that he expects a number of starters to be on the field Thursday at SoFi Stadium. Last week, the Niners rested 36 players in their preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans, as reported by NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco .
Shanahan didn’t provide specifics, but it would make sense for quarterback Brock Purdy to be among the first teamers participating in Thursday’s contest. Last season, he logged 11 snaps in San Francisco’s Week 2 preseason game, per Pro Football Focus. Rookie receiver De'Zhaun Stribling figures to get more work after catching seven passes for 63 yards versus the Titans. Veteran wideout Mike Evans will be out since he experienced tightness in his left quadriceps on Tuesday, per Maiocco.
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