LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Las Vegas Raiders held an open practice at Allegiant Stadium on Tuesday, with thousands of fans in attendance ahead of the team’s preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday.
Defensive end Maxx Crosby received the loudest ovation as players took the field. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, also drew crowd reactions during the session, completing a number of throws throughout the practice.
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Kubiak on the value of the stadium session
Head coach Klint Kubiak said the practice served as an important operational exercise for the entire organization.
“Really excited being in front of our fans, being on the grass that we’re going to play on, coaches communicating with the headsets,” Kubiak said. “Really important for the whole operation, obviously, it’s my first game in there, played a few games on the other side of the stadium, but it will be really important to get players and coaches familiar with our surroundings, so that we can play our best football on Thursday night.”
Rookies and standouts draw attention
Among the new faces on the field was sixth-round pick and training camp standout Malik Benson, a wide receiver wearing No. 19. Benson said the experience will carry over into Thursday’s game.
“I definitely feel like it’s going to help on Thursday; getting used to the lights, everything like that,” Benson said. “I’m going to have a ‘wow’ moment because I’ve never been in that stadium with a helmet on, but I’m going to have to snap out of it and just know that we’re here to practice and win the game on Thursday.”
Running back Mike Washington Jr. (No. 30) also spoke about the significance of the upcoming preseason opener.
“It’s going to be an exciting moment, I believe for everybody. It’s our first preseason game, first game we get to show the world what we’re capable of, so I believe it’s going to be exciting,” Washington Jr. said.
Team wraps up final session before game week ramps up
The Raiders practiced for approximately 90 minutes. Kubiak said the feelings players experience heading into a game environment are a sign of readiness.
“It’s professional football, so every practice, every preseason game, every stadium practice, they should all feel really big,” Kubiak said. “This is these guys jobs, this is our jobs as coaches and you should have those butterfly feelings, and if you don’t, sometimes to me, it means you’re not ready. If you’re not nervous about it, don’t have a little anxiety, it probably doesn’t mean that much to you, so I think it’s a good thing to have those feelings.”
The Raiders will have Wednesday off before returning to Allegiant Stadium for the preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday.
The Live Raiders Pregame will begin at 4:30 p.m.
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