Raiders' Klint Kubiak explains Fernando Mendoza decision for joint practice with Texans

Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins had spent the summer working with the Las Vegas Raiders' first-team offense ahead of rookie and No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza.

However, that changed when Mendoza received some first-team work for Tuesday's joint practice with the Houston Texans. While speaking with reporters after practice, first-year Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak explained why he chose to switch things up ahead of Las Vegas' preseason game at the Texans on Thursday night. 

Raiders sticking with Fernando Mendoza plan during preseason?

"I wanted to see him going against the Texans’ ones," Kubiak said about Mendoza, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "That was our plan all along. I thought he did some good things. I look forward to watching the tape. He and his teammates, all these young guys that were playing, we’ve got to get them up to speed real quick." 

Cousins started the Raiders' preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 13, and he completed five of six passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. Mendoza then went 10-of-16 passing for 97 yards and a score versus Arizona. 

The Raiders previously listed Mendoza as their QB2 behind Cousins, and Kubiak insisted after the Cardinals game that the starting job remains Cousins' "to lose." On Tuesday, Kubiak said that Mendoza is "going to get lots of reps this preseason" because the rookie "needs every one of them." 

Kirk Cousins reacts to Fernando Mendoza receiving first-team reps

Ahead of Tuesday's practice, a story detailed how Cousins wants "to be a help" for Mendoza so that the promising prospect can "go on to have a tremendous career." Following the practice, Cousins shared that he didn't mind losing some first-team reps to his teammate. 

"He did a great job," Cousins said about how Mendoza performed. "He’s well prepared, made some great plays, and he’s continuing to do what he’s supposed to do and pick up the system quickly." 

Cousins is seemingly still on track to start the Raiders' regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13. It remains to be seen if Mendoza's outing at Houston's NRG Stadium on Thursday night could have any impact on Las Vegas' Week 1 depth chart.