Las Vegas Raiders facing big questions as they prepare for their second preseason game against the Texans in Houston tonight, especially on defense.

In their first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, the Raiders defense struggled, giving up 156 yards on the ground and allowing Arizona quarterbacks to go 15-for-15 with three touchdowns in the first half.

In a joint practice with the Texans on Tuesday (Aug. 18), the Raiders defense continued to struggle against the run, with Houston backs gaining substantial yardage against them.

Las Vegas Raiders Defense Spotlight

The Raiders offense also faced challenges in Tuesday’s session against the Texans, who boasted one of the best defenses in the NFL last season.

Kickoff tonight at Reliant Stadium in Houston is scheduled for 8pm EST.

Head coach Klint Kubiak has not disclosed how much playing time he will give to the starting unit tonight.

Fernando Mendoza Gaining Valuable Experience

Kubiak was noncommittal about playing time for starters after Tuesday’s joint practice.

Starting quarterback Kirk Cousins’ playing time remains unspecified, but Kubiak has indicated that top draft pick Fernando Mendoza will see significant action. Mendoza also took snaps with the first-team offense during Tuesday’s practice session against the Texans’ first-team defense.

Texans Opting to Rest Starters

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans stated that his first-string players received sufficient work during the joint practice and will rely on depth players in tonight’s game.

Vegas Golden Knights Jersey Update

The NHL, in partnership with Fanatics, announced the introduction of a new third jersey option for teams, including the Vegas Golden Knights, under the Hometown Remix initiative for the upcoming season.

Further details on the new jersey series will be unveiled in the coming months as the uniforms aim to celebrate each team’s fans, city, and local culture.

Las Vegas Aces Playoff Position

The Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA will face the Connecticut Sun at Michelob ULTRA Arena tonight, aiming to secure a higher seeding for the playoffs and maintain home-court advantage.

With only seven games left in the regular season and a recent loss dropping them to fourth in the standings, the Aces are looking to improve their position.

Oakland Athletics Struggles Continue

The Oakland Athletics, relocating to Las Vegas for the 2028 MLB season, are currently struggling with injuries to key players and are at the bottom of the AL West standings.

Despite a recent loss to the Royals, the A’s are looking to bounce back in their upcoming game this afternoon.

Stadium Progress Update

The construction of the Las Vegas Raiders’ new $2 billion stadium is progressing, with the completion of the second steel truss arch, paving the way for the taller middle truss to solidify the foundation of the stadium’s roof.