The NFL has two preseason games on the schedule Thursday as the Las Vegas Raiders visit the Houston Texans and the San Francisco 49ers travel to face the Los Angeles Chargers. Las Vegas enters its second preseason game after losing 27-14 to the Arizona Cardinals, while San Francisco is coming off a 19-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Fernando Mendoza will be one of the players to watch when the Raiders face Houston. The No. 1 overall pick made his NFL debut last week, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown against Arizona. He also received extensive work with Las Vegas’ first-team offense during Tuesday’s joint practice against Houston, including reps against the Texans’ starting defense.
Houston will not play C.J. Stroud or its other starters Thursday. The Texans are also dealing with the season-ending ACL injury suffered by rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins during the joint practice.
The 49ers are taking a different approach. Brock Purdy and several other San Francisco regulars are expected to play limited snaps against the Chargers after the team held out 36 players in its preseason opener.
Los Angeles also plans to use its starters, with Justin Herbert among the players expected to see action. The Chargers beat Houston 27-7 in their preseason opener.
How to Watch NFL Games Today
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Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN platforms and NFL+
For Raiders fans in Las Vegas, the game will also air on FOX5 Las Vegas. The Raiders’ official preseason broadcast is also available through the team’s official app for in-market viewers.
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Chargers
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- TV: NFL Network
- Streaming: NFL+ and participating providers.
For 49ers fans in the Bay Area, the game will also air on KPIX. Chargers fans in Los Angeles can watch locally on CBS2 LA.
For additional stations in the primary and secondary markets carrying each preseason game, fans can check the NFL’s preseason broadcast listings and local team broadcast information at 506sports.com.
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