Fernando Mendoza Shines in Preseason Debut with Raiders

Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick in the draft, made a notable preseason debut on Thursday night, throwing a touchdown during his second possession against the Cardinals.

In the game, Mendoza participated in 53 percent of the Raiders' offensive plays, completing 10 of 16 passes for a total of 97 yards, along with a touchdown and no interceptions. He also rushed twice for 6 yards.

Mendoza expressed that the experience was valuable, particularly noting the excitement and speed of the game compared to practice. He acknowledged the support from his teammates, which helped him manage the pace of the game. His next appearance is scheduled for Thursday night against the Texans in Houston.