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Raiders’ Caleb Rogers Fails to Impress in First Start of Season
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- Raiders’ Caleb Rogers Fails to Impress in First Start of Season
The Raiders lost starting right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson to a groin injury in the Week 3 win over the Saints. His absence allowed for Caleb Rogers to step into a starting role.
But Rogers struggled against the Chiefs in Week 4.
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The second-year guard allowed five pressures, as the Chiefs were able to get into the backfield and make Kirk Cousins' job harder. For comparison, Powers-Johnson had allowed seven pressures in his three starts at right guard. Plus right tackle DJ Glaze and center Tyler Linderbaum have yet to allow five pressures all season.
Protecting Cousins – and eventually Fernando Mendoza – is paramount for this offense. Rogers struggled mightily in his first start of the season.
Rogers' poor run blocking was not the only reason, but the running game struggled again. The Raiders ran for 72 yards on 26 carries, posting a yards per carry of 2.8.
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Across the line, Rogers had the second worst run blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus. Kolton Miller was surprisingly worse.
Rogers was a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. But he didn't get to play as a rookie until the final six weeks of the season, when the Raiders were already at the bottom of the NFL standings.
Despite battling throughout training camp, Rogers eventually lost out to Powers-Johnson for the starting right guard spot for this season.
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Jackson Powers-Johnson's Status
Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Raiders center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Powers-Johnson had to miss Week 4 after he failed to log any practice time. But that could change for this week.
Klint Kubiak told the media that Powers-Johnson was "on the mend" and that they expect him back at practice this week. Returning to practice won't guarantee that Powers-Johnson can play, but it is the first step.
If he manages to log three practices, even if he is limited, Powers-Johnson will likely return to his starting role. But he has not played well enough to expect an improvement to the offensive line when he is back on the field.
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Powers-Johnson has the lowest run blocking grade of any offensive lineman on the team. Part of Jeanty's struggles can be traced to Powers-Johnson's poor play. Plus in pass blocking, he has allowed the third most pressures.
The Raiders didn't spend much money or draft capital on guards this offseason. Spencer Burford was brought in as a low cost add for left guard. That will likely change next season.
If Powers-Johnson or Rogers don't prove they are competent starting offensive linemen, the Raiders will likely look to improve in the coming offseason.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Oct 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
