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Breaking: Key Raiders Contributor Returns, Now Competing at an Unexpected Spot
August 23, 2025 – Las Vegas, NV
As the Las Vegas Raiders wrap up a grueling preseason under veteran head coach Pete Carroll’s leadership, they’ve encountered a surprising development: a returning contributor is now vying for a completely different position than the one he’s played before. This twist could significantly influence the team’s depth chart and chemistry heading into the regular season.
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Injury Concerns and a Welcome Return
The Raiders’ preseason was marred by several high-profile injuries. Veteran defensive tackle Christian Wilkins was released after a slow recovery from a foot injury . Free-agent acquisition Leki Fotu has also been sidelined with a walking boot and remains unavailable . These setbacks have left the interior defensive line thin, forcing the team to lean on reserves like JJ Pegues, Jonah Laulu, Zach Carter, and rookie Tonka Hemingway .
Amid this turbulence, another familiar name is back in action—but in unfamiliar territory.
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Laki Tasi: From Rugby Field to NFL Line, Reinvented
Meet Laki Tasi, a Samoan-born athlete raised in Australia who began football just months ago through the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program. What’s remarkable: he’s already showing promise after transitioning from rugby to football—and, more surprisingly, from defensive to offensive line .
In his first football appearance ever, Tasi took snaps at right guard during a preseason contest against the Seattle Seahawks. Despite the steep learning curve, he posted an impressive 84.6 Pro Football Focus grade—one of the top marks among NFL guards in that week. He didn’t allow a single pressure and excelled as a run blocker .
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Meredith’s Shift: Guard to Center in the Blink of an Eye
Meanwhile, the offensive line has seen its own positional shuffle. Jordan Meredith, who had solely played guard until now, has been slotted at center after the coaching staff approached him with the idea during the offseason .
Meredith embraced the challenge, learning center techniques during OTAs and through training camp. He’s now leading in snaps at center, while Jackson Powers‑Johnson, originally pegged as the starting center and a Rimington Trophy winner, has shifted to right guard .
Against Seattle in the preseason opener, both players logged full snaps at their new positions—Meredith at center, Powers‑Johnson at right guard—solidifying the shift .
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Why This Matters: Impact on Raiders Roster Landscape
1. Offensive Line Clarity and Depth
Meredith’s successful move to center provides much-needed stability at the heart of the offensive line—a critical position for both pass protection and run-blocking. Powers‑Johnson’s flexibility at guard keeps the Raiders’ interior versatile and strong .
2. The Tasi Effect: A Developmental Wildcard
Tasi’s performance is one of the more heartening preseason stories in full camp. While he is expected to begin the regular season on the practice squad due to IPP rules, his upside as a converted rugby athlete already delivering high-grade snaps at guard is compelling .
Pete Carroll acknowledged not just the novelty of Tasi’s journey, but also highlighted his physical ability and developmental promise—drawing early comparisons to Jordan Mailata, another rugby-to-NFL success story .
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Broader Context: Carroll’s Vision and Roster Strategy
These positional adjustments reflect Carroll’s broader strategy: molding players to fit his aggressive, adaptable system and ensuring he’s fielding his best five linemen, regardless of where they originally lined up .
On the defensive front, the Raiders remain thin and uncertain. With Christian Wilkins gone, Fotu sidelined, and others battling health, depth remains a concern despite the emergence of interior defenders like JJ Pegues .
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Looking Ahead: What to Watch as Regular Season Looms
Jordan Meredith will likely start at center Week 1, with Jackson Powers‑Johnson anchoring right guard. How their interaction shapes the O‑line’s rhythm is key.
Laki Tasi may not be active to start, but his evolution will be one to track—could he be a developmental gem?
Interior defensive line: With Wilkins gone and Fotu down, the group is in flux. Pegues, Laulu, Hemingway, and others must step up.
Pete Carroll’s roster flexibility: His capacity to repurpose players like Meredith and embrace newcomers like Tasi illustrates his adaptable, developmental approach.
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Summary Table
Player Original Position New/Current Role Status & Notes
Laki Tasi None (IPP rugby convert) Right Guard Returning from injury; high PFF grade; IPP practice squad bound
Jordan Meredith Guard Center Took over starting center role over Powers‑Johnson
Jackson Powers-Johnson Center (college) Right Guard Shifted after initial center expectations
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In sum, the Raiders’ preseason has been defined by reinvention. A rugby-born rookie blazing a trail at guard. A veteran guard anchoring center unexpectedly. And a shifting defensive front fraught with challenges. As Carroll finalizes his 53-man roster, these moves may prove pivotal in whether Las Vegas can emerge as a hidden contender in the AFC West this season.