Minnesota Vikings @ Las Vegas Raiders

Vikings Notable Injuries/Absences:

OUT: QB Kirk Cousins (COVID-19), WR Blake Proehl (knee); UNLIKELY TO PLAY: RB Dalvin Cook (rest), WR Justin Jefferson (rest), WR Adam Thielen (rest), TE Irv Smith (thumb), WR Thomas Hennigan (undisclosed)

Vikings News & Notes:

• With Cousins not playing, it was reported that Sean Mannion is expected to get the start at QB in his place. Coach O'Connell noted that both Mannion and Kellen Mond will play "a ton" and that they'll have around a 50-50 split.

• Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Irv Smith Jr., and Thomas Hennigan are not expected to play Preseason Week 1, per the Vikings.

Raiders Notable Injuries/Absences:

UNLIKELY TO PLAY: QB Derek Carr (rest); WR Davante Adams (rest); DL Maxx Crosby (rest); QUESTIONABLE: TE Darren Waller (hamstring)

Raiders News & Notes:

• Coach McDaniels has shown that he isn't afraid to play veterans in meaningless preseason games, as evidenced by the decision to start Josh Jacobs in the Hall of Fame game last week. Since that surprise, it has come out that it wasn't an elaborate plan to boost Jacobs' trade value. Rather, McDaniels just wanted his offensive line and RBs to begin establishing their ground attack.

• That being said, it reportedly sounds unlikely that team cornerstones such as QB Derek Carr, WR Davante Adams, and DE Maxx Crosby will suit up. WR Hunter Renfrow would likely be included in this group as well.

• TE Darren Waller has missed all of August with a hamstring injury. While it's considered minor, we shouldn't expect Waller to suit up with Las Vegas already expected to rest so many key starters.

• As mentioned, McDaniels has utilized several RBs already this preseason. One situation to keep an eye on is the battle for third down duties. Per The Athletic:

  • "One of the developing battles for roster spots is between the seven-year veteran [Abdullah]...and returning veteran Kenyan Drake."