Training Camp Notebook 8/9: Defensive newcomers aren't wasting time making plays

Aug 09, 2025 at 05:09 PM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

The Las Vegas Raiders spent their Saturday afternoon practicing for the first time since their preseason tie with the Seattle Seahawks. While not in pads, physicality seemed to be at the forefront.

Here are a few notes, quotes and observations from Saturday's practice back in Nevada.

Notes and Observations from Saturday's practice:

Offense

Running backs Ashton Jeanty and Raheem Mostert ripped off two big runs against the defense early in team period. While the two didn't have the best preseason showing against the Seahawks, the talent is obvious.
"It will continue to be pretty basic, just to keep our edge for the opener and the first three or four games," Pete Carroll said of the rushing attack. "The teams don't know who we are and so, they're going to have to find out as we go. We were real basic and we didn't get the kind of movement that we wanted. Like, Ashton didn't get a chance."
Practice ended with a highlight reel touchdown grab by Justin Shorter. Rookie quarterback Cam Miller found the 6-foot-4 receiver on a fade route, with Shorter leaping over the defender in the end zone.
Tre Tucker was a huge focal point for Geno Smith this practice, as well as in Thursday's game as they connected on Smith's lone completion. Considering the weapons around Tucker in the Raiders offense, 1-on-1 opportunities should be easy to come for the third-year receiver.

Related Links

Jamal Adams making plays for the @Raiders 🙌

LVvsSEA on @NFLNetwork
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— NFL (@NFL) August 8, 2025

Defense

A defensive turnover from second-year safety Trey Taylor, picking off the ball falling down as it hung in the air. It was initially tipped by JT Woods, who's been having a promising training camp.
Jamal Adams continues to shine at linebacker, tipping a ball at the line of scrimmage on a play. The safety turned linebacker had three solo tackles in the preseason opener against his former team.
"I think I did pretty well. Obviously, some adjustment things," Adams said following the game against the Seahawks. "Obviously being closer to the line of scrimmage, it's a different lens than being in the back end. But for the first time being out there, I thought I did pretty good."
Thomas Booker IV earned first-team reps with the defensive line Saturday, quickly making an impression on his new team. Booker was traded to the Raiders from the Philadelphia Eagles last Tuesday, and promptly secured two quarterback pressures and a tackle in the preseason game two days later.
"I just kind of wanted to keep that continuity of balling and getting out there and playing," Booker said Saturday before practice. "Luckily, I didn't forget how to play football in two days. So, it was good to get back out there with the guys and everything and just get running again."

Special Teams

The bulk of kick and punt return reps continued to go Tucker's way, as he's first in line on the unofficial depth chart. However Dylan Laube continues to make his case on special teams. He could potentially become the second returner on the field with the new dynamic kickoff rule.
"I'm trying to make this team too, man," Laube said, "and if it's on kickoff, on punt return, if it's any way possible, man, I'm just trying to make this team. I think special teams is kind of where I thrive at. So yeah, I'm trying to make a play every single time."

Quote of the day

Everybody's going to face adversity and opposition. It's going to come, no matter who you are, no matter how much money you make, it's eventually going to come. You're never prepared for it. But it's not how you start, it's how you finish. Jamal Adams

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Seth Williams (83) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.