Most of the Seahawks' starters won't play versus the Raiders, Macdonald said. He also confirmed the 2025 NFL draft rookie class will play, however. That means prominent rookies such as Grey Zabel, Nick Emmanwori, and Elijah Arroyo will receive their first taste of NFL action.

It's almost customary in the NFL for teams to sparingly, if at all, play their starters at the beginning of the preseason. If they do get on the field, it's usually only for a drive or two. Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald has already said he won't be playing the starters in Thursday's preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders — now led by former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and starting quarterback Geno Smith.

Most Seahawks veteran starters won't play Thursday in the preseason opener vs. Pete Carroll's Raiders. But rookie ‘ones' will.