Former Pro Bowler Surprisingly Listed on Raiders Inactive List vs. Patriots
The Las Vegas Raiders head into Week 1 of the regular season with a clean bill of health. The only two players to pop on the injury report have been quarterback Kenny Pickett and cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly, but both have been full participants in practice.
With a healthy roster, the Raiders’ inactive list for Week 1 offers some telling information about the status of certain players on the roster. Here’s the list of players who won’t be playing for Las Vegas in Week 1:
- Tristin McCollum S
- Raheem Mostert RB
- Brennan Jackson LB
- Charles Grant OT
- Caleb Rogers OG
- JJ Pegues DT
- Leki Fotu DT
There aren’t many surprises here, but it is notable that Mostert isn’t playing. He was sharing backup duties with Zamir White and seemed to have value as a third-down back, but the Raiders chose to keep Dylan Laube active.
The Raiders’ Week 1 opponent, the New England Patriots, also revealed their inactives:
- Caedan Wallace OG
- Anfernee Jennings OLB
- Efton Chism III WR
- Eric Gregory DT
- Tommy DeVito QB
- Christian Gonzalez CB
- Charles Woods CB
Gonzalez is the big absence here. He continues to nurse a hamstring injury and was ruled out earlier in the week. He’s the Patriots’ best cornerback, so his presence will be missed.
Exciting Debuts for Raiders
Week 1 is going to be filled with notable debuts for the Raiders. The biggest being quarterback Geno Smith. After three seasons starting for the Seattle Seahawks, Smith joins Las Vegas. He will be a significant upgrade over the Gardner Minshew-Aidan O’Connell duo from last season.
His skill set should be right at home with the Raiders. He wants to throw the ball down the field, and the team has some exciting deep threats at wide receiver like Tre Tucker and Dont’e Thornton Jr.
Smith isn’t the only exciting player who is having a debut for the Raiders. First-round pick running back Ashton Jeanty is one of the most hype rookies this season. He rushed for 2,601 yards during his last season at Boise State, which led to him being selected with the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jeanty didn’t do many exciting things in the preseason, but this will be his first chance to play a full NFL game with starters.
No Revenge Game for Josh McDaniels?
The Raiders-Patriots matchup in Week 1 marks Josh McDaniels’ first game coaching since being fired by Las Vegas during the 2023 season. He’s back as the offensive coordinator for New England, and he won’t have to wait long for a chance at “revenge.”
However, McDaniels isn’t holding any hard feelings with the Raiders and is looking forward to seeing some familiar faces.
“Every year, every team is different. There’s obviously people on a lot of teams in the league that we all have familiarity with or know well,” McDaniels told reporters ahead of the matchup. “Certainly, there’s some people there that I still know well and have relationships with and hopefully will have forever. But just excited about our opportunity to get going. Excited to be home on opening day.”
Raiders Are Slight Underdogs vs. Patriots
It’s difficult to know exactly what to expect from the Raiders and Patriots this season. Both teams have new head coaches and many new players all over their rosters.
Despite the Raiders having the more proven quarterback in Geno Smith and some exciting pieces on offense, FanDuel sees Las Vegas as a 2.5-point underdog. That’s likely because the teams are in a similar place and the Patriots have home-field advantage. Regardless, this should be one of the more interesting matchups in Week 1.
Deebo Samuel Shuts Down Fat Shamers in Commanders Debut
This one is for all the fat shamers out there. Remember to keep your skinny mouths shut when you talk about Deebo Samuel.
Samuel, a veteran wide receiver acquired by the Washington Commanders in an offseason trade, looked like he was back to his NFL All-Pro form in a 21-6 win over the New York Giants in Week 1 following months of questions about Samuel’s weight and work ethic.
In his fist game in a Commanders uniform, Samuel led his team with 7 receptions for 77 yards and scored on his only carry of the day with a 19-yard rushing touchdown midway through the fourth quarter for Washington’s final score.
“That was quintessential (Deebo),” Washington head coach Dan Quinn said after the win.
‘Fat’ Deebo Talk Started After Down Year in 2024
The talk about Samuel being overweight started after arguably his worst year as a pro in 2024 in his final season with the San Francisco 49ers.
Samuel was generally ineffective and did, in fact, look out of shape as he slugged his way to 51 receptions for 670 yards and 3 touchdowns to go with 136 rushing yards and 1 touchdown in 15 games.
Those were Samuel’s lowest numbers since he played just 7 games in 2020.
“He had a bad year,” 49ers reporter Tim Kawakami said on “The TK Podcast” on February 13. “He is not in shape. I said it on last week’s podcast — 20 pounds. I keep hearing it, 20 pounds overweight. And that led to a lot of his lack of explosion, in their belief, his lack of ability to get through tackles, (which has) kind of been who he is. That’s why he’s so valuable. It’s not because he’s outrunning people.”
Samuel used social media to answer Kawakami in a post he later deleted, calling the stories about his weight false and adding “trust me, keep that energy,” and “people make up anything in they head!!!”
Commanders Called Out For Samuel Trade
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons pointed out that Samuel might not be the player the Commanders thought they were getting when they traded a 2025 fifth round pick for Samuel, who reworked his contract and signed a 1-year, $17.5 million contract with the Commanders for 2025.
Samuel was named an NFL All-Pro in 2021 when he racked up 1,770 yards of total offense and 14 touchdowns.
“That dude’s body’s been through a lot … I watch football every week. Deebo took a (expletive) ton of hits,” Simmons said on March 4. “The way (the 49ers) used him, he was like a crash test dummy.”
Samuel’s touchdown seemed to bring out his supporters on social media.
“Dear Deebo Samuel haters, Apologize now,” 7 News DC reporter Scott Abraham wrote on his X account. “Thanks.”
“New team, same Deebo,” Bleacher Report wrote on its official X account following the touchdown.
“Deebo Samuel is showing the receipts after blogs spent the offseason calling him overweight and slow,” Preme Football wrote on its official X account.
“IN SHAPE DEEBO!!!!! THE FITTEST GUY IN THE LEAGUE!!!!!!!!!” Barstool’s Eric Nathan wrote on his official X account. “Deebo is the least fat WR in the league. Apologize!!!!”
