Will Fernando Mendoza start today's game against Chargers? Latest update on the rookie Raiders QB

Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza is back in the spotlight heading into Sunday's Week 2 divisional clash against the Los Angeles Chargers. With backup Aidan O'Connell ruled out for personal reasons, the Raiders enter today's game with only two quarterbacks available, putting Mendoza squarely in the backup role. It is not just a depth chart shuffle -- it raises a legitimate question about how soon the first overall pick could see meaningful action.Will Fernando Mendoza start today's game against Chargers?No, Fernando Mendoza will not start today's game against the Chargers. Kirk Cousins remains the Raiders' starter heading into Sunday's divisional matchup at Allegiant Stadium. Mendoza is listed as the backup after O'Connell was ruled out for personal reasons, meaning the rookie is now one play away from getting his first regular-season reps.That said, the question of how long Cousins holds onto the job is louder this week than it was seven days ago. In Week 1 against the Dolphins, Cousins completed just one of seven passes on throws 10 or more yards downfield, also throwing two interceptions on those attempts. For a 38-year-old signed to bridge the gap to the franchise's future, those are numbers that raise eyebrows quickly.The Raiders selected Mendoza with the top pick this past draft, pairing him with Cousins and new head coach Klint Kubiak -- who just won a Super Bowl as Seattle's offensive coordinator. The plan was always to ease the rookie in, not throw him into the fire in September. But if Cousins cannot push the ball past the sticks consistently against stiffer competition, that timeline could move up fast.Mendoza stood on the sideline during last week's season opener, watching as Las Vegas dominated a Dolphins side that looks like a serious 2027 draft lottery contender. The win was convincing, but the opponent made it hard to draw too many conclusions about Cousins' arm.What happens if Kirk Cousins struggles against the Chargers today?The calls for Mendoza will get louder. That is just the reality when you draft a player first overall and the starter's most glaring weakness is showing up on tape in back-to-back weeks.O'Connell's absence strips away the experienced safety net behind Cousins. The former Purdue product has appeared in 21 games across his career, completing 62 percent of his passes for 3,932 yards and 20 touchdowns. He brought real depth and emergency experience to this room. Without him today, Mendoza is the only option if Cousins goes down or gets pulled.The Chargers, meanwhile, are playing this one desperate. They dropped Week 1 and cannot afford an 0-2 hole in the division. Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey give Los Angeles real weapons, and defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary is likely to load the box and dare Cousins to beat them downfield -- exactly the area where he struggled most against Miami.If that pressure piles up and the passing game stalls again, the conversation around Mendoza's debut will shift from "eventually" to "now."Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.