Yahoo Sports NFL on Ian Thomas

ArticleBreaking down Fernando Mendoza’s preseason debut for Las Vegas Raiders against...August 18, 2026

From the article

he finds Thomas—who creates some separation on a whip route against the nickelback—and hits the tight end before taking a hit.

Captured by STACKED 3 hr after posting

STACKED’s take

Positive signalUsage

Thomas created separation on whip route, caught on-target pass under pressure.

Thomas was targeted on multiple plays in Mendoza's preseason debut, including a whip route against the nickelback where he created separation and caught a pass on the money before Mendoza took a hit, turning a potential third-and-long into a third-and-manageable situation.