The Las Vegas Raiders starters played just a drive during the team's preseason opener versus the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, which ended in a 23-23 tie. However, it sounds like the starters will play more next week versus the San Francisco 49ers.
During a press conference on Friday after the game, Carroll stated that the starters will see more action against the 49ers next Saturday. The Raiders' head coach added that he just wanted to get the starters in a game mindset on Thursday and not play them too much in the actual contest.
"Raiders HC Pete Carroll said it was always the plan to give the starters just one drive," Jesse Merrick of the Silver and Black Sports Network said on X. "He wanted them to be in the mindset to go through warmups and prepare for a game."
"Next time [Saturday's contest versus San Francisco at Allegiant Stadium] they’re going to play quite a bit," Carroll said.
Carroll also added that the starters will receive more competitive reps during joint practice with San Francisco on Thursday, leading up to the preseason game next Saturday.
"The starters will get more competitive reps next week in the joint practice with the 49ers on Thursday," Tashan Reed of The Athletic said on X. "Also sounds like they could play more Saturday."
Most of the starters for the Raiders only saw one drive, such as quarterback Geno Smith and edge rusher Maxx Crosby. However, some of the members of the first team, including running back Ashton Jeanty, did get some extra snaps on the second series.
Guard Jackson Powers-Johnson and center Jordan Meredith, who are projected starters, played multiple series on the offensive line with the backups and third-strings and were even in the game during the third quarter.
Overall, the starting units on both sides of the ball didn't look fantastic when out there in Seattle, so it would be wise for Las Vegas to give them more playing time moving forward in the preseason.
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