October 8, 2026 - 6:44 pm

Malik Benson prepares every week to play 60 snaps per game for the Las Vegas Raiders, for whom he has totaled 26 offensive snaps four games into his NFL career.

“Just stick to trusting my training,” the rookie wide receiver said Thursday at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

”I may start. I may not start. Whatever it may be, I just know I’ve got to go out there and have fun at the end of the day.”

Benson’s preparation could pay off Sunday for the Raiders in Foxboro, Massachusetts, where they’re set to continue their season against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The sixth-round draft pick, a training camp standout who starred at Oregon a year ago, is in line for an uptick in offensive snaps with the team’s receiving corps ailing because of injuries to Jalen Nailor (concussion) and Jack Bech (fractured left forearm).

Buried on the offensive depth chart so far, Benson has a 4-yard catch to go with an 8-yard rushing loss as he works to find his footing in the NFL. He has served as the team’s lone punt returner, logging five runbacks, averaging 13.6 yards — and steadying himself as a key special teamer.

Said offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko, asked Thursday how Benson can get on the field: “Everything we do starts in practice, and as we practice, we build confidence with guys and when opportunities come by, taking advantage of those opportunities. … A lot of those times, as long as guys keep their head down, they work, those things happen organically. So, when you see a guy’s number called, he makes a play, and then that always gets more playing time.”

Benson made plenty during preseason practice, starring for the second-team offense while moonlighting with the first-team offense, quarterbacked by Kirk Cousins. He stretched the defense with his speed downfield and opened himself up underneath with refined route running and short-burst quicks, becoming a favored Raiders target.

Until the regular season started.

Nailor offers veteran savvy opposite Tre Tucker’s refined speed and polish with Cody White and Dareke Young backfilling depth behind the starters. That has made Benson an option on offense on 9 percent of the offensive snaps. What is Benson focusing on learning from his veteran teammates?

“Just staying ready, knowing every position on every play,” Benson said, noting Tucker has been his vet in part because “he’s a speed guy like me. … I’m just trying to ask him questions like how does he watch film? How does he take care of his body? … He’s seen a lot. He’s been around a lot. He’s played in a lot of games. Being able to learn from him, I feel like it’s made my transition smoother.”

So has returning punts for Benson, who said he likes the nerves they induce and that playing a role on special teams has “definitely helped” his confidence. Janocko said Benson “works his tail off” and mentioned that “he’s growing in this league” amid the ups and downs he has faced as a sixth-round pick.

As for the impact Benson can make if he’s called upon to play more Sunday for the Raiders, Janocko cited his size (6-foot-1-inch, 195 pounds) and speed. “So, just using all those things and then seeing those come to life within the offense,” he said.

Be it for 60 snaps or one.

“Every week has a life of its own,” Benson said.

”The preparation, I wouldn’t say it changes at all.”

Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on X.