As the NFL regular season approaches, the Las Vegas Raiders have officially named veteran Kirk Cousins their Week 1 starting quarterback over rookie No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys re-signed Joe Milton to their practice squad, and major injury updates emerge from San Francisco and Minnesota.
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Raiders Turn to Experience with Kirk Cousins as Head Coach Klint Kubiak Makes His Call
The countdown to the NFL kickoff has forced front offices into final roster decisions. In Las Vegas, head coach Klint Kubiak ended speculation on Wednesday afternoon by naming Kirk Cousins the team’s Week 1 starting quarterback. Cousins beat out rookie Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick. Kubiak’s familiarity with Cousins from their shared time in Minnesota heavily influenced the decision. Cousins takes the reins after a nomadic stretch spanning stints with the Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, and Atlanta Falcons.
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For Mendoza, the demotion marks a rare historical pivot. He becomes the first top overall selection to open his rookie year as a backup since Baker Mayfield in 2018. Kubiak outlined a rigorous development plan for the young signal-caller moving forward. “There’s always early work, late work, more meetings, plenty of time on the field between drills with Coach Sullivan and Coach Janocko,” Kubiak explained to reporters. “Every player that is not starting the first game, they’re helping us on the look team. We’re just trying to find every edge we can find to continue to get him better and his teammates better.” The Raiders debut their new-look offense next Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
Cowboys Bring Back Joe Milton to Practice Squad as Sam Howell Wins Backup Job
In Dallas, the quarterback room settled into a clear hierarchy on Wednesday. Quarterback Joe Milton rejoined the Cowboys by signing to the practice squad after clearing waivers. Milton was released earlier in the week to clear a roster spot for running back Emari Demercado, a transaction that confirmed Sam Howell as Dak Prescott’s primary backup.
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Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer addressed the decision by pointing to Howell’s command of the scheme during training camp and preseason exhibitions. “We looked at the whole body of work,” Schottenheimer stated. “We just felt like Sam had done a little bit more just in terms of executing the offense in certain areas.” Milton, acquired via trade from the New England Patriots, served as Prescott’s backup in 2025 and logged a productive preseason with 378 passing yards and three touchdowns without an interception. However, Howell’s 18 career regular-season starts and offseason contract ultimately secured him the QB2 role.
49ers Receive Major Injury Boosts as Nick Bosa and George Kittle Target Week 1
On the West Coast, the San Francisco 49ers received encouraging medical bulletins ahead of their season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, scheduled for September 10. Defensive end Nick Bosa completed a full practice on Wednesday for the first time since tearing his right ACL in Week 3 of last season. Bosa navigated a minor training camp setback involving knee tendinitis before logging full team periods.
“I’ve just been trying to get it as strong and myself as confident as I can to where I could rip the Band-Aid off and go to team stuff today,” Bosa told reporters. “You hope that your body is going to respond the way that you prepared it to, and there were a couple moments today where that happened.” When pressed on whether he would suit up in Australia, Bosa offered an optimistic assessment: “after today, yeah, that was pretty good.” Alongside Bosa, tight end George Kittle participated in positive sessions as he recovers from a torn right Achilles sustained during the January playoffs.
| Player | Team | Position | Status / Update |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirk Cousins | Las Vegas Raiders | Quarterback | Named Week 1 Starter over Fernando Mendoza |
| Sam Howell | Dallas Cowboys | Quarterback | Secured primary backup role behind Dak Prescott |
| Joe Milton | Dallas Cowboys | Quarterback | Re-signed to the practice squad after waivers |
| Nick Bosa | San Francisco 49ers | Defensive End | Full practice participation; traveling to Australia |
| J.J. McCarthy | Minnesota Vikings | Quarterback | Retained on active roster under GM Nolan Teasley |
Vikings General Manager Nolan Teasley Clarifies J.J. McCarthy’s Roster Status
In Minnesota, general manager Nolan Teasley addressed the long-term outlook for third-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Following a preseason battle that resulted in Kyler Murray claiming the starting job, Teasley confirmed on Wednesday that McCarthy will remain on the active roster.
“McCarthy’s role is to continue to develop, improve and support his teammates,” Teasley told reporters. “He’s done an excellent job of that from the moment I’ve been here and from my understanding since he walked through the front door.” While declining to immediately outline depth chart pecking orders behind Murray—leaving the door open for veteran Carson Wentz—Teasley expressed confidence in McCarthy’s trajectory as the Vikings prepare to host the Green Bay Packers.
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