Raiders' Hezekiah Masses: Competing with Porter for starting job
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Head coach Klint Kubiak told reporters Friday that he views both Masses and Darien Porter as viable starters at outside cornerback opposite Eric Stokes, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Masses stepped into a larger role defensively in Week 2 against the Dolphins, as Porter sat out of that game due to a foot injury. Masses answered the call by picking off Malik Willis twice, and the former added another interception during the Raiders' Week 3 win over the Saints. Masses played every single defensive snap against New Orleans while Porter was limited to work on special teams, but the duo could share the field more defensively moving forward. The Raiders face the Chiefs on Sunday in a battle of 3-0 teams.
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Raiders' Darien Porter: Still has confidence of HC
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Head coach Klint Kubiak expressed confidence Friday in the play of Porter, the latter of whom didn't play a single defensive snap during the Raiders' Week 3 win over the Saints, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Porter did not play against the Chargers in Week 2 due to a foot injury, and since then, the Raiders have started rookie fifth-rounder Hezekiah Masses at outside corner opposite Eric Stokes. Kubiak noted that both Porter and Masses are starter-level players, and while Porter was limited to special teams work in Week 3, he could be more involved defensively Sunday against the Chiefs.
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Raiders' Treydan Stukes: Another full practice
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Stukes logged a second straight full practice Thursday.
Stukes appears to be on track to return to action Sunday versus the Chiefs after head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed that 25-year-old cleared concussion protocol, per Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site. Stukes has compiled 10 total tackles (six solo) and an interception over two contests this year, and he'll likely return to his starting role at free safety in Week 4.
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Raiders' Jeremy Chinn: Forces huge turnover in win
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Chinn recorded eight tackles (seven solo) including 1.0 sacks and a forced fumble during Sunday's 35-27 win at New Orleans.
Chinn came on a delayed blitz on a fourth down just outside the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter, and he was able to jar the ball loose from quarterback Tyler Shough's grasp in the backfield, giving the Raiders the ball back with a 35-27 lead. His big role in Las Vegas' secondary means he might be worth a look as an IDP option in some formats heading into a Week 4 tilt versus the Chiefs.
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Raiders' Nakobe Dean: Leading tackler in win
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Dean recorded 12 tackles (11 solo), a pass defensed and a forced fumble during Sunday's 35-27 win at New Orleans.
Dean punched the ball out of tight end Juwan Johnson's hands in the flat with about one minute left on the clock in the fourth quarter, and the Raiders' recovery sealed their victory in Week 3. He profiles as a strong IDP option in most formats going into a Week 4 matchup versus the Chiefs.
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Raiders' Treydan Stukes: Manages full practice Wednesday
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Stukes (concussion) was a full participant at practice Wednesday.
Stukes sat out Sunday's game at New Orleans because of a concussion he suffered back in Week 2 against the Chargers, but his outlook for Week 4 is looking more positive. He presumably still needs to be cleared for game action by an independent neurologist before he can exit concussion protocol and be eligible to suit up Sunday versus the Chiefs.
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Kyu Blu Kelly: Works out for Atlanta
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Kelly (knee) had a workout with the Falcons on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Kelly ruptured his patella tendon in early December last year while playing for the Raiders. The Stanford product was subsequently placed on IR, and Las Vegas did not tender him during the offseason. Kelly appears to be recovered from the injury and is seeking another opportunity. Before getting hurt last season, he had emerged with a career-high three interceptions and six total defensed passes along with 40 tackles over 13 contests.
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Raiders' Hezekiah Masses: Secures another interception
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Masses recorded six total tackles (four solo) and an interception during Sunday's 35-27 win over the Saints.
Masses was able to get another interception in Week 3, jumping in front of a pass from Tyler Shough intended for wide receiver Bryce Lance in the fourth quarter. Notably, Masses maintained a starting role at cornerback in the return of Darien Porter, playing all 72 of the team's defensive snaps. Masses has now registered 11 total tackles (eight solo) and four passes defensed, including three interceptions, over three contests to open his rookie campaign.
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Raiders' Treydan Stukes: Ruled out for Week 3
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Stukes (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Saints, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Stukes was a DNP all week while in the league's concussion protocol, which he entered during the Raiders' Week 2 win over the Chargers. The rookie second-rounder's next chance to play is Week 4 against the Chiefs on Sunday, Oct. 4, though a return to practice (in at least a limited capacity) would be an indication that Stukes is progressing through the league's protocol. Isaiah Pola-Mao should start at safety next to Jeremy Chinn for as long as Stukes is sidelined.
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Raiders' Darien Porter: Practices in full
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Porter (foot) was a full participant in practice Thursday.
The cornerback was limited in Wednesday's session. Porter missed the Raiders' Week 2 win over the Chargers with the foot injury, but now that he's logged a full practice, he should be on track to play Sunday at New Orleans. Porter played on 45 defensive snaps in Week 1 and broke up two passes.
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Raiders' Nakobe Dean: Full participant Thursday
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Dean (shoulder) was a full participant in practice Thursday.
The inside linebacker was limited to open the practice week Wednesday. Now that he's back, Dean should be good to go for Sunday's game against the Saints. He has recorded 15 tackles (11 solo), including 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles through two contests.
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Raiders' Treydan Stukes: Unable to practice
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Stukes (concussion) did not participate at the Raiders' practice Wednesday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Stukes suffered a concussion during the team's 26-14 win over the Chargers on Sunday, and he now appears to be at risk of missing the Raiders' Week 3 matchup with New Orleans. If he is unable to clear concussion protocol, Isaiah Pola-Mao would likely start at free safety against the Saints.
Porter (foot) was a limited participant at the Raiders' practice Wednesday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Porter was unavailable for the team's Week 2 win over the Chargers while nursing a foot injury, but he was able to return to practice Wednesday. The cornerback will have two more chances to log a full practice and officially move past the foot issue ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Saints.
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Raiders' Nakobe Dean: Limited to open week
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Dean (shoulder) was a limited participant at the Raiders' practice Wednesday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Dean recorded 10 total tackles (seven solo), including 0.5 sacks, in the team's 26-14 win over the Chargers on Sunday, but he may have suffered a shoulder injury during the contest. The linebacker will have two more chances to log a full practice and prove his health before the Raiders face New Orleans in Week 3.
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Raiders' Hezekiah Masses: Two picks in win
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Masses recorded five tackles (four solo) and two interceptions in Sunday's 26-14 win over the Chargers.
Masses picked off Justin Herbert in the first and fourth quarters, helping the Raiders secure an upset over a division rival. The fifth-round rookie put together a stellar performance while playing 73 percent of the defensive snaps in Sunday's contest, likely securing himself the starting cornerback role in Darien Porter's (foot) absence.
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Raiders' Quay Walker: Strong performance in win
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Walker logged 10 tackles (five solo) in Sunday's 26-14 win over the Chargers.
Walker's 10 total tackles tied fellow linebacker Nakobe Dean for most on the team in Sunday's contest. The inside linebacker played all 67 defensive snaps in the game, his second time in as many games with a 100.0 percent snap share. Walker now has 16 tackles (seven solo) through two regular-season games in 2026.
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Raiders' Darien Porter: Sits out Week 2 win
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Porter (foot) was inactive for Sunday's 26-14 win over the Chargers.
After injuring his foot in the Raiders' Week 1 win over the Dolphins, Porter didn't practice in any fashion this past week before being ruled out two days in advance of Sunday's contest. In Porter's stead, rookie fifth-round pick Hezekiah Masses stepped into a starting role at cornerback in Week 2.
Stukes suffered a concussion and has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's contest against the Chargers, Vincent Bonsignore of the California Post reports.
Stukes was officially diagnosed with the injury after he was removed from the contest for the second time for evaluation, per Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com. In Stukes' absence, Isaiah Pola-Mao will stand to operate as the team's primary free safety versus Los Angeles.
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Raiders' Treydan Stukes: Suffers head injury
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Stukes (head) is being evaluated for a potential concussion after exiting Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Stukes exited the first half of Sunday's contest with a head injury. The starting free safety will be evaluated by the Raiders' training staff and an independent neurologist to determine the severity of the injury and determine whether he will be able to return to the contest. Stukes logged three tackles before exiting.
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Raiders' Nakobe Dean: Plays well in win over Miami
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Dean ended with six tackles (five solo) and 1.0 sacks in Sunday's 27-13 win over Miami.
The Raiders defense took care of business in Week 1, with Dean accounting for one of the team's five total sacks on the day. The 25-year-old played for the Eagles before signing a three-year deal with the Raiders in March. In 47 regular-season games with Philadelphia, Dean amassed 226 total tackles, 7.5 sacks and one interception. While he is certainly capable of making a difference whenever he's on the field, he's had issues staying healthy throughout his career.
