Fernando Mendoza makes NFL debut in Raiders' blowout loss to Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Fernando Mendoza made his NFL debut under unceremonious circumstances on Sunday.

The top pick in this year's NFL draft took over at quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth quarter of a 45-17 loss to the New England Patriots. The Raiders trailed by the final score with 6:06 remaining when Mendoza replaced veteran Kirk Cousins, who endured his worst game of the season for a Las Vegas squad that has dropped two straight after opening the season with three straight wins.

Mendoza finished 6 of 8 passing for 48 yards and an 89.6 rating. He helped the Raiders pick up two first downs but came up 1 yard short on fourth-and-4 with Las Vegas in the red zone.

“I need to work on my speed because I wasn’t fast enough to get the edge, but I need to stand in there and throw the ball over the middle,” Mendoza said.

Cousins entered Sunday with a league-best 11 touchdown passes, and Las Vegas hadn't scored fewer than 26 points in each of its first four games. But the 38-year-old got hit, harassed and frustrated all afternoon by New England’s defense, which sacked Cousins three times.

With the outcome decided, Raiders coach Klint Kubiak decided go give Mendoza some playing time. Before Sunday, the last time Mendoza took snaps in a meaningful game was the College Football Playoff national title game on Jan. 19, when he led Indiana to a 27-21 win over Miami.

This time, the man the Raiders hope will be their franchise quarterback handled mop-up duty.

“It wasn’t a great experience because of the overall outcome. I wanted to do my part, any way I can help the team. I was called upon and I appreciate all of my teammates, especially some of the starters going out there and having that fighting effort,” Mendoza said. “Entering in what you would call your NFL debut, it’s a good experience. Every rookie has it at some point. It was just that time.”

Cousins' play has allowed the Raiders to bring Mendoza along slowly. In the common draft era, the only quarterbacks to be selected first who waited longer than Mendoza to make their debut were Jared Goff (10th game, 2016), JaMarcus Russell (12th game, 2007) and Carson Palmer, the top pick in 2003 who didn't play until his second season.

Kubiak said Cousins is in line to start next week when the Raiders host Buffalo. Mendoza expects to be ready the next time he's called upon.

“I’m going to keep controlling the controllables,” Mendoza said, “but it is good experience to have some regular-season snaps to go off and evaluate and get better from.”

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New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) greets Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) after an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) looks to pass against the New England Patriots during an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak looks on from the sidelines during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) runs with the ball as New England Patriots safety Mike Brown (33) defends during the second half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Houston Texans got a big win on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans and then received even bigger news in the aftermath — the offense has added wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Texans also received a 2027 seventh-round draft pick in the deal, while the Cardinals added a 2027 second-round and sixth-round pick, according to a person familiar with the deal, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the full terms had not been announced.

The trade reunites Harrison with quarterback C.J. Stroud, who was his college teammate at Ohio State.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans announced the trade after his team's 26-3 victory over the Titans. Houston (1-4) made the deal despite being three games back in the AFC South behind Jacksonville.

“We traded for Marvin Harrison,” Ryans said to close his news conference in Nashville. “See ya!”

Texans receiver Nico Collins celebrated the trade, which was more surprising for its timing than the actual transaction.

“That’s official? Is that official? That’s what’s up. That’s dope, man,” Collins said. “Glad he’s here. Another playmaker, another ability. Let’s get to work.”

Harrison — the No. 4 pick in 2024 — has had a disappointing two-plus seasons in Arizona. The 24-year-old was on the Cardinals' inactive list on Sunday as the team pursued a trade.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Harrison's production plummeted through the first four games this season, with just five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. The Texans hope to figure out how to get the most out of the receiver, who was widely seen as a can't-miss prospect after a stellar college career with the Buckeyes.

Stroud said he talked to some people in the Texans organization about Harrison before the trade and had high praise for his former teammate.

“I think he brings a dynamic playmaker, somebody who runs great routes, can catch really any ball, and I’m just super excited to get with him,” Stroud said. “I loved him in college. He’s probably the hardest worker I’ve ever been around in my life. And then just who he is off the field, he’s a great dude, quiet guy, but definitely you feel his presence.”

The Texans certainly hope Harrison has more of a presence in their offense than he did in the desert.

First-year Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur and quarterback Jacoby Brissett have been supportive of Harrison despite his sparse usage, saying he was doing everything he can to be productive. But the emergence of Michael Wilson — who had his first 1,000-yard receiving season last year — and the presence of All-Pro tight end Trey McBride made Harrison an afterthought in LaFleur’s offense.

Harrison is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, who was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection with the Indianapolis Colts.

AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi in Tampa, Florida, and AP freelance writers Teresa M. Walker and Jeremy Gover in Nashville, Tennessee, contributed to this report.

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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. pauses on the field prior to an NFL football game against the New York Giants, in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) celebrates his touchdown catch against the New York Giants with Cardinals guard Isaiah Adams (74), offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (70) and offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson (65) during an NFL football game, in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) makes a touchdown catch against New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (2) during an NFL football game, in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)