Raiders news: The position battle that could be decided by preseason finale vs. 49ers

The Las Vegas Raiders will close their preseason Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers, giving the coaching staff one final opportunity to evaluate unresolved position battles before the regular season. While many players have already secured their places on the 53-man roster, the competition at right guard remains unsettled.

Jackson Powers-Johnson and Caleb Rogers are both expected to make the roster, but they are competing for the starting right guard position and Thursday’s performances will be a factor in influencing the final decision.

“These game reps are the most valuable ones that we can use,” Las Vegas head coach Klint Kubiak said. “It’s very helpful (for evaluating) many guys.”

Powers-Johnson entered training camp as the only right guard working with the starters. However, Rogers began rotating with the first team after the opening practices, and that competition has continued through training camp and the preseason.

Powers-Johnson currently appears to hold an advantage. He played during presumed starting quarterback Kirk Cousins’ only drive in the preseason opener and has generally been the first guard on the field during practices. He also started at right guard in Week 1 last season. However, Rogers has made progress heading into his second season, with the coaching staff specifically praising his preparation.

Powers-Johnson missed the Raiders’ preseason game against the Houston Texans because of an injury but is expected to return against San Francisco. Both guards are expected to receive meaningful playing time in the finale, making the matchup particularly important to the coaching staff’s decision.

“This game will be really important for that battle,” said Kubiak. “I know both those guys are going to play this year. We’re counting on both of them, as well as a lot of other guys. So, this competition has only made them better and our team better.”

The Raiders are not expected to view Thursday’s game as the end of the competition. One player will likely be placed in the starting role ahead of the regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins, but the battle could continue during the season.

Jordan Meredith also has something to prove in the preseason finale. After starting 11 games for the Raiders last season, Meredith has fallen down the depth chart. He initially worked as the second-team center for Fernando Mendoza before rookie Trey Zuhn III moved into that position. Meredith has recently been rotating as a backup left guard.

Meredith’s ability to play multiple offensive-line positions gives him versatility, but he needs an impressive showing versus the 49ers to give him a shot at securing a spot on the roster.

Kubiak’s roster rebuild after the Raiders went 3-14 last season has created opportunities for younger players. Thursday’s finale will provide the final preseason evaluation before those decisions are made.

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