Tuesday the Raiders took the field for their first practice of mandatory minicamp. And there were some interesting observations that came from it.
Kirk Cousins chemistry with top targets
With the Raiders’ offseason practices in their final throes, Cousins is showing his work with his top receivers is paying off. He was dealing today, connecting on several great looking connections to TE Brock Bowers. Bowers has an innate ability to get open and Cousins was enjoying finding him.
His first pass was a bullet to Bowers in seven-on-sevens over the middle. The connections continued throughout the day including in 11-on-11s hooking up on quick and intermediate passes.
It wasn’t just Bowers, though. Cousins found Tre Tucker a couple times as well, including a nice looking out route up the left sideline with perfect timing from Cousins and Tucker tapping his toes along the sideline. Cousins also connected with Jack Bech on a cross over the middle.
Couple absences still
Just as with OTA practices, LB Nakobe Dean and CB Jermod McCoy were not at practice. Both are being held out with injury issues and are on the property. Raiders assistant head coach Mike McCoy offered an update on Dean’s situation after practice.
EDGE Maxx Crosby and G Jackson Powers-Johnson were both on hand and warmed up with their teammates but didn’t practice.
Crosby wasn’t expected to be back at this point. He said last week that he was forcing himself to slow his return to make sure he didn’t rush things and risk an injury. Crosby had offseason knee surgery. He is expected back for training camp.
JPJ got banged up early in practice last week. His presence at practice suggests his issue isn’t serious and his being held out is more precautionary.
Offensive line makeup
With JPJ not practicing, it was second-year guard Caleb Rogers who stepped up at right guard with the first team. That put first team offensive line from left to right:
LT Kolton Miller
LG Spencer Burford
C Tyler Linderbaum
RG Caleb Rogers
RT DJ Glaze
2025 Preseason star shines
Shedrick Jackson is back to lighting up practice for the Raiders. The grandnephew of Bo Jackson, he has been working his way onto the field for the Raiders over the past couple seasons. This included leading the team in receiving last preseason with seven catches for 104 yards. It looked for a minute liike he might make the squad last season, but then the Raiders signed Amari Cooper and that squashed that idea.
Jackson was still added to the practice squad and ended up appearing in five games, catching four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. He caught several passes in practice today including a couple short crosses from Fernando Mendoza and an out route along the left sideline from Aidan O’Connell.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders mandatory minicamp day one: Notes, observations, attendance
