Raiders expected to retain Cousins, Jeanty as roster cutdown nears
With cutdown day approaching, a final prediction suggests the Las Vegas Raiders will keep Kirk Cousins and Ashton Jeanty, while quarterback Aidan O’Connell remains a potential trade candidate.
The Las Vegas Raiders are preparing for their final preseason match against the San Francisco 49ers as the league’s roster cutdown day approaches on Sunday, 30 August. Ahead of the game, a final prediction for the team’s 53-man roster has been released, confirming the starting quarterback and lead running back positions.
According to the prediction, Kirk Cousins will retain his role as the starting quarterback, with rookie Fernando Mendoza serving as his backup. Quarterbacks Aidan O’Connell and Jacob Clark are expected to be released from the active roster. O’Connell, who is entering a contract year, is viewed as a potential trade candidate should he perform well in the upcoming game against the 49ers.
Ashton Jeanty is projected to remain the lead running back, supported by Mike Washington Jr., Connor Heyward, and Dylan Laube. However, uncertainty surrounds Jeanty’s availability due to a sprained ankle. The full extent of his injury is currently unknown, and the duration of his absence could influence how many running backs the coaching staff decides to retain.
Dylan Laube has established himself as the third running back following a strong performance in the previous game against the Houston Texans. Roman Hemby is expected to move to the practice squad, while Dare Ogunbowale and Patrick Gurd are projected to be cut. Ogunbowale’s status is complicated by a question mark at the kicker position, as he possesses kicking ability that may be valuable to the team.
Head coach Klint Kubiak is leading the squad through the final stages of the 2026 training camp. The Raiders previously defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27-14 in their second preseason game on 13 August at Allegiant Stadium. The final roster decisions will be made after the team faces the 49ers, with the coaching staff balancing positional needs against potential trade interest.
The prediction, sourced from Yahoo Sports, highlights the strategic considerations facing the Raiders as they finalise their active roster. The decision on O’Connell depends on whether the staff prioritises an extra cornerback or another position, while Jeanty’s injury status remains a key variable for the running back group.
