Ex-Raiders Defender Signs With Chargers Ahead of Monday Night Football Matchup
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24890785/1613562476.jpg)
The Las Vegas Raiders are facing their first divisional opponent of the season, as they welcome the Los Angeles Chargers to Allegiant Stadium for Monday Night Football. The two teams know each other very well, even with the Raiders changing coaching staffs this offseason.
Regardless, both teams will still try to find any advantage they can. Ahead of the Week 2 clash, the Chargers announced that they signed linebacker Kana’i Mauga to their practice squad.
While Mauga was with the Chargers for much of the offseason, he was actually with the Raiders from 2022 to 2024. In that time, he played in 17 games for the team, mostly on special teams.
He should know Patrick Graham’s defense somewhat well after spending three seasons under him. That said, Graham’s defense has evolved under head coach Pete Carroll, so Mauga might not have many secrets to share.
This signing comes after the news that linebacker Denzel Perryman, who is another former Raider, might not be able to play due to injury. Mauga only has six career tackles, so it’s unlikely that he’d see the field much even if he’s promoted to the active roster for the game.
Patrick Graham Talks Justin Herbert
The Chargers were a playoff team last season, and many expect them to beat the Raiders in Week 2. A big reason for that is quarterback Justin Hebert.
He’s already cemented himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL and is coming off an incredible opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham spoke about how Herbert can affect the game in multiple ways.
“They’re making good decisions in the RPO game. Then from there, just the quick decisions in the drop back passing game, and he’s getting the ball out pretty quick,” Graham said of Herbert during a Friday press conference. “And if he doesn’t have it, he has the ability to move around, whether he goes down the field with it or takes off.”
Graham Hoping Improved Tackling Holds Up
The Raiders’ tackling looked rough in the preseason, which led to some concern about their defense. However, in Week 1, the tackling was among the best in the NFL, having only missed four tackles all game.
If the Raiders’ tackling is going to be this good, the defense can at least be solid this season. Graham is hopeful the surefire tackling will hold up.
“If you take the first preseason game … with the first regular season game, it was night and day,” Graham said. “So to me as a coach, to see that improvement, it’s a credit to the players, all the hard work, because for us, we pointed it out from the first game and said, ‘OK, here’s how we’re going to go about correcting it and how we’re going to work it.’ And the guys really bought into it, and it showed up the first week. We’ll see how it goes this week, but we got to keep working it.”
The Chargers’ offense is tougher than the New England Patriots’, so this is going to be a tougher test for the group.
Celtics’ $5.5 Million Move Could Be the Steal of the Offseason
The Boston Celtics made plenty of headlines this summer for reshaping their roster. But one of their quieter moves, signing center Luka Garza to a modest two-year, $5.5 million deal, is starting to get attention.
At the time, Garza was projected as depth behind Neemias Queta and Chris Boucher. After three seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves where he played sparingly, few expected Boston’s investment to pay immediate dividends. Yet, insiders believe he may be one of the most intriguing breakout candidates on the roster.
Celtics Insider Sees Garza as Breakout Option
Jay King of The Athletic recently spotlighted Garza’s potential in a deep dive on Boston’s roster construction. He pointed out how Garza’s limited NBA minutes still show plenty of upside.
Over his career, Garza has posted an offensive rebound rate of 15.9 percent. That figure would have ranked second in the NBA last season among qualified players. Per 36 minutes, he has averaged 25.8 points and 9.1 rebounds. The catch is that those numbers came in just 584 total minutes across three years. Still, the production hints at untapped potential if Boston gives him steady opportunities.
Why Boston Might Take the Gamble
There are clear concerns. As King noted, Garza has not proven he can defend the rim at a high level, which is crucial for a Celtics team built around defensive identity. His outside shot is also a question mark.
But Boston is in evaluation mode. With Jayson Tatum sidelined long-term and the frontcourt thinned by the departures of Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet, opportunities are wide open.
Garza’s college résumé is a reminder of what he can do when trusted. A two-time First Team All-American at Iowa and a two-time Sporting News Player of the Year, he was once one of the most dominant double-double machines in the country.
The Celtics’ Big Man Picture
The Celtics enter camp with options at center: Queta, Boucher, Garza, Xavier Tillman, and rookie Amari Williams. On paper, it’s depth. But the talent hierarchy is unsettled.
If Garza can bring his energy, offensive rebounding, and scoring punch to Boston’s second unit, he may carve out a bigger role than expected. Nobody is expecting him to become an All-Star, but in a season of transition, he has a chance to become one of the Celtics’ quiet success stories.
