Spencer Rattler’s Season Debut Shrouded in Uncertainty as Setbacks Pile Up
As the New Orleans Saints gear up for their season opener, quarterback Spencer Rattler finds himself navigating a minefield of obstacles reminiscent of his rookie year. Just 48 hours before kickoff, Rattler is facing a supporting cast riddled with injuries and key absences, threatening to derail his confidence and preparation.
The saga began last season, where every game seemed to present another challenge: injured offensive linemen, missing top receivers, and Alvin Kamara battling his own setbacks. Now, history seems to be repeating itself. Kellen Moore recently ruled out two vital starters, leaving Rattler with limited protection and a less-than-ideal lineup as he takes the reins once again.
Ironically, the Saints had counted on stability from players like Trevor Penning, who had managed to avoid missing time throughout the previous season. However, Penning’s latest turf toe injury has left Rattler with another gap in his offensive line, reigniting concerns about whether the young quarterback can handle the pressure.
Despite the hurdles, Rattler remains resilient. “Every setback feels like deja vu, but I’m ready to rise,” Rattler said during a press session earlier this week. His determination will be tested immediately against the Arizona Cardinals, a team that already boasts a formidable defense. Analysts predict that Rattler will need to rely heavily on quick decisions, mobility, and chemistry with his remaining receivers to navigate the season opener successfully.
While the loss of key players isn’t catastrophic, it paints a familiar picture: Rattler’s journey is never straightforward. The rookie quarterback has faced skepticism and high expectations, and these early-season challenges only add to the drama surrounding his development.
Fans and critics alike will be watching closely as Spencer Rattler steps onto the field, hoping to prove that despite the stacked deck, he has the skill, poise, and resilience to thrive under pressure. This season opener isn’t just a game—it’s a defining moment in Rattler’s NFL career.
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.
