Ian Rapoport pumps brakes on Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza’s starting hype

The Las Vegas Raiders are taking it slow with their future franchise quarterback. Vegas is not thrusting Fernando Mendoza into the fire just yet despite being the first overall pick. But Mendoza is getting plenty of reps in practice to get him ready for real NFL action.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport gave an update on the quarterback situation in Vegas during a recent segment.

“Well, it sounds like Fernando Mendoza is going to be poised to play a lot and we really have seen an uptick in his reps, with the ones specifically, over the last let’s say week or so,” Rapoport said on Thursday via Good Morning Football. “When I was there in Las Vegas, because Kirk Cousins was really not practicing, [Mendoza] took all the reps with the ones, looked really impressive. In the joint practice, took a little more against the Houston Texans. Of course took a little more reps with the ones. Sounds like he acquitted himself pretty well.”

Rapoport made it clear that Mendoza was not lighting the world on fire in practice. Still, the rookie quarterback is making a strong impression on the coaching staff.

“Not saying it’s the kind of thing where you’re like alright this guy must be on the field right now. But the overall outlook was pretty positive,” Rapoport added. “This is really what the Raiders have wanted to do, which is put him in position with the ones, with the starters, and just see how it goes.”

Veteran Kirk Cousins may still start in Week 1, as has been expected for months. But the Raiders are still focusing on getting Mendoza more snaps in practice and in preseason games.

“The reason they signed Kirk Cousins, the reason they paid him all that money, was to start for as long as he can and that still is the plan for the Las Vegas Raiders,” Rapoport concluded. “… Gonna happen tonight, gonna happen when the season begins. But the reps are coming for Fernando Mendoza and I would not be surprised to see multiple quarters of play in tonight’s game.”

Raiders at Texans kicks off at 8PM ET on August 20th from NRG Stadium in Houston.

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