Training Camp Notebook 8/23: Defense, special teams working diligently to make quick improvements

Aug 23, 2026 at 04:22 PM

Digital Team Reporter

The Las Vegas Raiders finished their first padded practice since returning from Houston.

While victorious in their preseason matchup, there are noticeable improvements that need to be made – many of which were exposed during their joint practice and contest against the Texans.

The Silver and Black wasted no time strategically working on their missteps in practice, however the day ended on a somber note. Ashton Jeanty left early after landing awkwardly trying to dive for a catch. The team has not provided word yet on any injury status.

Here's a look at the rest of what transpired for the Raiders indoor practice Sunday.

Self correction on special teams

After committing multiple special teams penalties against the Texans, Klint Kubiak couldn't ignore the concern.

"We put it on ourselves as coaches number one, with how we educate them," Kubiak said of the penalties Friday, "what we're practicing, what we're drilling, and it's on us, as coaches, to get it fixed."

Practice began with a 25-minute period dedicated solely to special teams. This included punt and kick return blocking drills, as well as specialized work for gunners, with Malik Benson taking the majority of reps as the returner.

"It's something that we're going to address," linebacker Segun Olubi said before practice started. "Obviously can't happen, and we're doing everything that we can in practice to make sure that we're finishing well on these blocks and that we're getting things done the way that they need to get done so that we can move forward and play complementary football."

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Business as usual for Mad Maxx

Kubiak stated that Maxx Crosby won't see any time on the field during the preseason. But that hasn't stopped him from going full tilt in practice.

He ended the day with a few would've been sacks on Kirk Cousins and a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage during team period.

On the tipped pass in particular, even Cousins had to give No. 98 a high-five for making the play.

Stealing the ball

Before practice, Eric Stokes said the secondary needs to focus on coming away with interceptions – something the team has yet to do through two preseason games.

"I still want to steal the ball," said Stokes. "That's the biggest thing that we've got to do. ... Let's go ahead and take the ball away. Let's go ahead and get off the field."

And the defense did just that, coming away with two interceptions during team period. The first was a diving grab by rookie Hezekiah Masses as he jumped a crosser to Chris Myarick while Fernando Mendoza was rolling out of the pocket. The second was a tipped pass which landed in Greedy Vance's hands.

"The young guys were able to see how they were able to move and all that stuff and just build that confidence," Stokes said of the secondary building off reps from last week.

"That's the only thing. Everything is pretty much about week in, week out, just continue to build confidence."

Beauty in the struggle for Mendoza

Despite the two practice interceptions, Mendoza bounced back with some impressive throws. This included deep touchdowns in 1-on-1 period to tight end Albert Okwuegbunam Jr. and receiver Tre Tucker.

"He gets better every time he goes out there," Tucker said of Mendoza. "Every snap he takes, he gets better, and that's what you're looking for, especially for a guy like him. It was really cool to just kind of see him command the offense, and that's what you expect from a quarterback."

While Kubiak is waiting to name a starting quarterback until after the preseason finale, Cousins continued to take the majority of first-team reps Sunday.

No room to get comfortable

Jackson Powers-Johnson returned to practice after missing last week's joint practice and preseason game against the Texans. While back in the first-team unit, he remains engulfed in a position battle with Caleb Rogers .

"We're always competing," said offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko. "We're trying to find the best player at every position, and I don't think from the top on down, I think we're always evaluating to get the best player on the field. So, I don't think there's anybody that should get comfortable."

A brewing competition on the other side of the ball is at safety between Treydan Stukes and Isaiah Pola-Mao. After the second-rounder from Arizona secured four total tackles and a tackle for loss against the Texans, he earned added reps with the first-team defense.

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Deven Thompkins (83) on the field for practice at 2026 season Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.