Live Updates and Highlights from Thursday's Week 2 NFL Preseason Games

Everyone within the Las Vegas Raiders organization understands that Fernando Mendoza is the future of the franchise, even if that person wasn't supposed to be on the team this season.

Maxx Crosby experienced a wild offseason where the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end was traded to the Baltimore Ravens, only to have that deal nixed. Crosby returned to the Raiders, with the understanding he can still be a critical part of the squad.

Unsurprisingly, the eighth-year veteran was seen picking up his rookie quarterback after Mendoza threw his first professional interception.

Fernando Mendoza continues to suffer from rookie-on-rookie violence.

First, the quarterback drifted, threw late over the middle and had the pass result in a pick-six by first-year linebacker Wade Woodaz. Two series later, the Texans' second-round rookie, Kayden McDonald, was able to burst up the middle and record his first career sack.

McDonald's size and explosiveness in the middle of the Texans' already stout defense can make the league's top unit even better.

Mistakes happen, particularly for rookies learning on the job.

This year's No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, made a costly misread over the middle of the field, which led to another rookie, Wade Woodaz, racing 80 yards the other way for a defensive score.

Ashton Jeanty is the Las Vegas Raiders' RB1 after being last year's sixth overall draft pick. The organization still chose Mike Washington Jr. in this year's fourth round. At 233 pounds, Washington is a big, physical back, who also brings 4.33-second 40-yard-dash speed to the table. So, it's not surprising to see him break off a 33-yard run on his first carry Thursday.

The Houston Texans brought in veteran running back David Montgomery this offseason to provide a more physical backfield presence. Woody Marks played well as a rookie, but he wouldn't be considered a downhill runner. Even so, he made decisive cuts and bounced off three would-be tacklers for a 20-yard score against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Houston Texans are trying to find the team's best front five after two seasons of poor offensive line play. Interestingly, veterans Wyatt Teller and Braden Smith may not be in the starting lineup at the start of the regular season. Also, first-round rookie Keylan Rutledge, who continues to cross-train at center, is getting a long look at left guard.

Center will be a position to watch Thursday for the Los Angles Chargers. As of now, their projected starter, Tyler Biadasz, is expected to miss a chunk, if not all, of the 2026 campaign. Considering how ravaged the Chargers' O-line was last season, a major injury to a significant free-agent signing is a bad sign.

Prior to the start of Thursday's games, plenty of NFL action could be found on the practice field.

Joint practices have become a substitute for the lack of a fourth preseason contest. Oftentimes, coaching staffs place more emphasis on what happens during the week than the exhibition contests.

This week, the Cleveland Browns hosted the Buffalo Bills. While the Browns continue to search for a quality starting quarterback, Josh Allen showed why Cleveland shouldn't have passed on him during the 2018 NFL draft.