4 key Raiders who won't play in final preseason game vs 49ers and who steps up for them

We already know Antonio Pierce said the team’s established starters won’t play in the final preseason game. But that doesn’t mean literally everyone else will be a go. Wednesday, he noted several other Raiders players who also will also not be suiting up when the 49ers come to Las Vegas in the preseason finale.

First and foremost, despite the fact that Aidan O’Connell will not be the team’s starting quarterback, he will not play.

That means the Raiders will have two quarterbacks who will play in the game — rookie Carter Bradley and journeyman veteran Nathan Peterman. Bradley has been ahead on the depth chart due to his time with the team throughout the offseason and training camp. We’ll see if that continues in this one.

Three rookies will not be playing the game either. That’s TE Brock Bowers, G Jackson Powers-Johnson, and LB Tommy Eichenberg.

Bowers was the team’s top pick at 13 overall in the draft. He is expected to start, but that alone wouldn’t automatically mean he wouldn’t play. He isn’t playing due to a minor foot injury.

I wouldn’t expect Michael Mayer to play either as he is a second-year starter. Instead look for Harrison Bryant to get the start at tight end.

Powers-Johnson is the team’s second round pick. He just returned last week from injury and is not going to be the starter right away. But due to his short time since returing, he won’t play either.

Cody Whitehair will be the starter at left guard in the season opener, so don’t expect him to play in the final preseason game. Look for Jordan Meredith to start at left guard in this game.

And finally, Eichenberg is dealing with a leg injury and won’t play. He hasn’t played at all this preseason, so once again it would be Kama’i Mauga who would get those reps at middle linebacker Eichenberg may have gotten has he been healthy.