With the preseason now just around the corner, matters are becoming a lot more pressing for the Las Vegas Raiders. Some hard decisions will need to be made at the end of the month, but before that, the Silver and Black will play in a three-game exhibition slate, beginning on Thursday, August 13.
Ahead of that matchup, we went through the Raiders' entire 91-man roster and evaluated what is at stake for them in the coming weeks. For some players, it is their starting spot or rotational role being in jeopardy. For others, it's simply a matter of staying healthy or just making the team at all.
Whatever it is, we've come up with one big question for every player in the building in Las Vegas ahead of the preseason. This was the longest exercise of 20 questions in history, but hopefully, this gives fans an idea of what is on the line for every player on the roster.
1 big question for every Las Vegas Raiders player ahead of preseason
Quarterback:
Kirk Cousins - How long can he hold off Fernando Mendoza?
Simple. The veteran needs to play well enough that he keeps his eventual replacement, Mendoza, on the sideline for as long as possible. Fans will get an early indication of just how ready Cousins is to lead this Klint Kubiak offense in the preseason opener. If he fails at all, the pressure will mount quickly.
Fernando Mendoza - Can he continue to learn from his mistakes and truly push Kirk Cousins?
Mendoza hasn't enjoyed a squeaky-clean training camp, but the games are ultimately what matter. If he can avoid rookie miscues and not make the same mistake twice while stringing together some strong performances, Mendoza could give the coaching staff a lot to ponder ahead of Week 1.
Aidan O'Connell - Will he play well enough to have other teams calling about him?
O'Connell is neither the present nor the future under center in Las Vegas, and in the final year of his rookie deal, he surely has his sights set elsewhere. With a strong preseason, other teams could come calling about trading for him, which could give his career a jolt in the long run.
Jacob Clark - Could he make Aidan O'Connell fully expendable?
If Clark plays exceptionally well during the preseason, then the Raiders may not hesitate at all to part ways with O'Connell, whether that be via trade or simple release. Mendoza needing a long-term backup is the only argument to keep O'Connell, but Clark could have something to say about that.
Running back:
Ashton Jeanty - How will he adjust to the new outside zone rushing scheme?
Jeanty can have success in any system, given that the offensive line is at least solid, but his progress on becoming a master of Kubiak's outside zone is something fans should look for. This is not an easy system to perfect, but the signs will be there early if he's taking to it well.
Mike Washington Jr. - Will he clean up his issues from college and prove he's a capable RB2?
Washington Jr. wasn't exceptional in pass protection at any of his college stops, and he fumbled too often. To be Jeanty's wingman, he'll need to clean this up. Otherwise, the Raiders will have to run their star back into the ground again, which isn't good for anyone involved.
Dylan Laube - Can he provide a significant spark on special teams?
Laube's prospects for making an impact in the running back room, outside of perhaps some crafty screen plays, are fairly low. So, he'll need to make a difference in the return game or on coverage teams to maintain his value with the current staff.
Roman Hemby - Will he start to separate himself as a runner?
As far as the end of the running back room goes, Hemby is probably the best pure runner. While catching up as a receiver and special-teamer would help him get even with Laube and Ogunbowale, Hemby's best argument may be his pure running ability to force one of the aforementioned out.
Dare Ogunbowale - How much juice does he have left as a third-down back?
Ogunbowale is still a stud on special teams, but the Raiders have plenty of players capable of taking on big roles there. Where Ogunbowale can separate himself and make the team is by doing the little things on third down, like making great blocks and being a reliable dump-down option.
Fullback:
Connor Heyward - How much of a role can he carve out in this offense?
Kubiak loves his fullbacks, and Heyward becoming a legitimate option in the passing game would ease some concerns about the Raiders' pass-catching group. Plus, the more he's out there, the more they can marry the run and pass, and the more Heyward can pave lanes for Jeanty.
Patrick Gurd - Will he show enough to change the math in the RB room?
Last year, Kubiak kept two fullbacks. With only three half backs looking like locks for the 53-man roster, Gurd could impress with a strong preseason and make an argument for the players in the running back room to be comprised of two full backs and three half backs.
Wide receiver:
Tre Tucker - Can he take the next step and emerge as a true No. 1?
Tucker has been a nice supporting piece for years, but he needs to find another level to tap into. The Raiders are short on established pass-catching options, so they need the solid options they have to make a leap.
Jalen Nailor - Will he step up without being in the shadow of great wideouts?
Las Vegas doesn't have a Justin Jefferson or even a Jordan Addison-level receiver on the roster, so Nailor will have a chance to make more of an impact in an expanded role. If he's up to the task, then the Raiders could be in better shape than most think at wide receiver.
Jack Bech - Can he make the Year 2 leap fans are hoping for?
Bech didn't exactly star as a rookie, but in an offense that could highlight his skill set better, Raider Nation wants to see growth. He hasn't been the buzz of camp like some other receivers, so fans are holding their breath to see if he has improved heading into 2026.
Malik Benson - Will Benson just be another camp sensation?
Every year, the Raiders and their fans fall in love with an underrated player who makes some splash plays in the preseason. Those players rarely pan out. Benson has been all the rage at camp, but he needs to show that he can translate this to the real games.
Dont'e Thornton Jr. - Can he stay healthy enough to stay on track and improve?
Thornton Jr. missed time in the spring, and he's missing time again ahead of the preseason opener. His status for the game is unclear. With such a steep learning curve for him, he needs as many on-field reps as he can get, but they aren't coming with him sidelined.
Dareke Young - How can he hold onto special teams role with others emerging?
Young was never brought to Las Vegas to help on offense, and it seems like the return specialist isn't going to get a chance to return kicks or punts, at least not with the first or second team. With others emerging in those spots, it is unclear how he'll remain in the coaching staff's good graces.
Shedrick Jackson - Can he rekindle the spark of last preseason and stick around?
Jackson made himself a priority to keep around with his strong play last preseason, as he made a number of big plays on the exhibition circuit. However, it has been fairly quiet concerning his play this year. Can he tap back into the magic he had last preseason and find a spot in the building?
Deven Thompkins - Will his big-play ability translate to the real games?
With his small stature, Thompkins has to be an excellent separator and homerun hitter, because he'll never be an every-down receiver. Plus, his opportunities as a returner may be limited with others emerging, so being a big playmaker is the only way he can stick around.
Brandon Johnson - Can he turn splash plays at camp into real consistency?
Johnson had the play of the evening at the Raiders' live practice on Tuesday, and he has made a number of big plays during camp. However, reports about him are inconsistent because, well, he does not consistently make plays. He'll need to if he wants to have a prayer of sticking around.
Phillip Dorsett II - Can he be a nice security blanket for young QBs?
As an older player with not much to play for, Dorsett II doesn't figure to get a lot of run this preseason. But when he's out there, most importantly, can he be a veteran presence for Mendoza, Clark and O'Connell? Hopefully, that answer is yes. And if so, he could live on the practice squad once again.
E.J. Williams - Will he put his speed on display?
Speed is why Williams was brought to Las Vegas, so he'll need to show the coaches that he can break away from defenders and rip the top off the defense to even have a chance to stick around on the practice squad.
Chase Roberts - Can he be the possession receiver he was signed to be?
Roberts, unlike the rest of the bottom-of-the-roster wideouts, isn't a speedster or home run hitter. He is a big and crafty pass-catcher who was signed to a large guarantee to be a steady set of hands. He'll need to make it obvious that he's worthy of development to stick around in Las Vegas.
Tight end:
Brock Bowers - Will he starting showing signs of an OPOY campaign?
Bowers has made a mockery of the Raiders' improved defense during training camp, and it will be exciting to see him test his new role against a team that doesn't quite know what is coming. Bowers could be an Offensive Player of the Year candidate, and we could see early signs of that.
Michael Mayer - Can he emerge as a serious weapon in the passing game?
Mayer has been knocking on the door of a bigger role in recent years, and he finally seems poised for a breakout. He has always been a great blocker, but Kubiak will unlock him as a pass-catcher, and fans should start to get an indication of what kind of role he can play as early as the preseason.
Ian Thomas - How can he grow as a receiver?
Thomas is an above-average blocker and a below-average receiver. If he's out there, it's a good chance that the Raiders are running or he's not heading out for a route. But if he grows as a pass-catcher, then Las Vegas can disguise its intentions and utilize what he's good at.
Carter Runyon - Will we see him at any point this preseason?
Runyon has been sidelined throughout training camp with an undisclosed injury. He was a favorite of mine to challenge for the TE3 role, and his versatility to line up in the backfield would be fun in Kubiak's offense. But he has not played in so long that it's a wonder if he'll suit up in the exhibitions.
Albert Okwuegbunam - Could he be TE4 if Raiders keep four players?
With Runyon sidelined, Albert O is a candidate to make the team, that is, if Las Vegas decides to keep four tight ends. Kubiak wants to run a lot of 12 personnel, and with an injury-prone Mayer and Bowers coming off an injury being the top two guys, he could sneak his way in if they want insurance.
Chris Myarick - Can his fullback versatility keep him around?
Kubiak loves players who can move around, especially H-back-types. Myarick can play tight end and fullback, which could increase his chances of landing on the 53-man team, or more likely, the practice squad.
Offensive tackle:
Kolton Miller - Does he look the same after his season-ending injury in 2025?
Fans have assumed that Miller will just return to form in 2026, and every report from camp indicates that he has. But seeing it in a live setting against a real group of foes will go a long way in proving to Raider Nation that the left side of the line is secure.
DJ Glaze - Can he ward off competition for the starting RT spot?
Right now, Glaze is the starter, and nobody else has rotated in with the first-team offense. But if Glaze struggles, as he did last year, then Las Vegas will have to start considering other options, both in-house and outside the building.
Charles Grant - Will he play any right tackle?
Grant has seemingly been pigeonholed as the backup left tackle in training camp as the Raiders prepare him to be Miller's eventual replacement. But fans would love to see him at least challenge Glaze on the right side, so that is something to watch.
Trey Zuhn III - Where will he play and thrive the most?
Guessing where Zuhn III will play, even during the preseason, is futile, let alone predicting where he will eventually settle in. But it will be interesting to see what the splits are for where he plays and how well he performs at each spot.
Dalton Wagner - Can he survive the influx of UDFAs once again?
Wagner has been a staple on the practice squad in Las Vegas over the last few seasons, but it has become quite clear that the Raiders are looking for upgrades on the bottom of the roster. They brought in two UDFA offensive tackles this year, so Wagner needs to bring it to keep his spot.
Isaiah Jatta - Will he make a run for the practice squad?
Jatta got a nice chunk of change to join Las Vegas after the 2026 NFL Draft, and that money certainly talks. But he'll have to put together a nice preseason to stick around on the practice squad, as it seems like a pipe dream that he'll be on the 53-man team come next month.
Kamar Missouri - Will he make a run for the practice squad?
Missouri came to the Raiders with no guarantees, so he has an uphill battle. But just like Jatta, he will need a strong preseason to even make a run at the practice squad. Perhaps he and Jatta can both make it if Wagner flames out, but this battle will be tight.
Guard:
Spencer Burford - Can he remain above the fray in the guard battle?
Las Vegas hasn't decided on who will start at right guard yet, but it seems like Burford is penciled in on the left side. That is, unless he tanks during the preseason. So, he'll need to be solid in whatever action he gets to keep the noise silent about the team replacing him.
Jackson Powers-Johnson - Can he finally end the drama and secure the RG job?
Powers-Johnson is constantly embroiled in drama, seemingly due to no fault of his own. But this is a make-or-break year for him, and if he can't take that leap under Kubiak and Rick Dennison, then it may not ever happen in Las Vegas. The Raiders need him, and he needs this starting job badly.
Caleb Rogers - Will he make things interesting at either guard spot?
Rogers is technically listed as the backup left guard, but he has been rotating in with JPJ on the right side. Simply put, Rogers is the next man up at guard, and if he puts together a strong preseason, he could give the coaching staff a bit to consider.
Atonio Mafi - How can he separate himself in an OL room not made for him?
Las Vegas has established veterans and some promising young prospects in the offensive line room. Mafi isn't really either of those things, so he'll need to really separate himself to stick around in any capacity.
Braeden Daniels - Does he even know the playbook?
Daniels signed on Wednesday, just a day before the preseason opener. It'd be a miracle if he even gets on the field or knows what he is doing.
Niklas Henning - How does he adapt to the change from tackle to guard?
Henning was brought in as a tackle, but is now listed on the depth chart as a guard. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to this change and if it helps his chances of sticking around.
Center:
Tyler Linderbaum - Will he get snaps with Fernando Mendoza?
Honestly, nobody has questions about Linderbaum, his level of play, or his general impact. He is a hand-in-glove fit for the Kubiak offense. But fans will be curious to see if he gets a chance to play with Mendoza at all during the preseason.
Jordan Meredith - Does playing well keep him around or make him a trade candidate?
In a lot of ways, Meredith is precisely what the Raiders want. But they don't really need him, with so many promising young players. So, if Meredith plays well during the preseason, would that entice Las Vegas to keep him, or would it encourage them to try to trade him for a pick? He has value.
Will Putnam - Can he sneak onto the practice squad with versatility being his biggest strength?
Putnam's calling card is his versatility, and that is what has kept him around in recent years. But everyone is versatile now, and Putnam has struggled tremendously. He'll need a strong preseason to stick around in any capacity.
Defensive end:
Maxx Crosby - Will he play at all?
Everyone is saying that Crosby looks healthy and even better than he has in recent years. But will the Raiders finally start protecting him and not throw him out there for a lot of preseason snaps?
Kwity Paye - How will he bounce back from injury?
Paye has been banged up in camp, missing practices at two separate points. With the major investment made in him, fans don't just want to see him play; they want to see him play well.
Malcolm Koonce - Does he look like his 2023 self?
Koonce has flashed at training camp, but the entire picture will be critical for him. Paye isn't an elite pass-rusher, so Koonce needs to fill that void. Looking like the version of himself that took the field in 2023 would be a great thing to see.
Keyron Crawford - Will his athleticism translate into early results?
Crawford is a bit rough around the edges, but his athletic profile is a dream. He has started to show significant flashes at training camp after missing a day or two due to injury, so if he carries that over into the preseason, the Raiders could have a star on their hands.
Brennan Jackson - How will he look in his first Raiders action?
Jackson joined Las Vegas after the preseason last year and got hurt before the regular season. Fans just haven't seen him play, and they are surely excited to do so.
Cian Slone - Can he turn camp hype into production?
Slone is a highly-billed UDFA who needs to have a strong preseason in a fairly deep edge rusher room to make the 53-man roster. He has garnered some hype this offseason, but production will be needed.
Jahfari Harvey - Will he turn the corner and show some promise?
Harvey hasn't shown much during his career in Las Vegas. Can he show some flashes and stick around in Las Vegas?
Patrick Johnson - Can he make this roster purely based on special teams?
Johnson is a special teams ace, even if he doesn't offer much as a pass-rusher. It will be interesting to see how the Raiders weigh this come cutdown day.
Defensive tackle:
Adam Butler - How does he adjust to the new defensive scheme?
Butler is a known commodity, but he'll be playing in a non-Patrick Graham defense for the first time since being a Raider. How he adjusts will be critical, as Las Vegas has tons of younger, unproven, albeit promising, pieces around him.
Tonka Hemingway - Can he turn camp hype into actual production?
Hemingway killed it at the end of his rookie year, and he rode that momentum into camp, where his play was a big headline. However, he'll need to prove that he deserves to be a starter in Rob Leonard's new defense and that he wasn't just a camp sensation.
Jonah Laulu - Will he challenge Tonka Hemingway for the starting nod?
Laulu is another solid young player who has impressed at times during his Raiders career. He has been dethroned by Hemingway for the time being, though. With a couple of strong preseason showings, he could take the mantle back as a starter or carve out more reps.
Thomas Booker IV - What does his role look like in this new defense?
Booker IV played the 3-tech last year, but as a bigger-bodied defensive tackle, he could slide to the nose at times in base formations. He'll obviously make the team, but the more Booker IV can move around and be a plug-and-play guy, the bigger a role he'll have.
Benito Jones - Will his play justify keeping around a true nose?
Jones is effectively a run-stopping nose who is fairly pigeonholed into the 0-2 techniques. For how little the Raiders will be in base, it is unclear if they can justify taking up a roster spot with him. A strong preseason could give Las Vegas an easy answer.
JJ Pegues - Can he make a big Year 2 leap?
Pegues, like Hemingway, looked good in limited action as a rookie. But he hasn't taken that big step in camp that his second-year counterpart has, so the Raiders and their fanbase are still looking for him to make one. He is technically on the roster bubble, so it is a big preseason for him.
Brandon Cleveland - Does he have a chance to make the 53-man roster?
Simply put, Cleveland hasn't been talked about, and he has layers of competition to fend through. Ideally, he still makes the practice squad if he gets waived, but John Spytek has been ruthless with late-round picks, so you never know.
Gary Smith III - Can he separate himself as a practice squad candidate?
In a crowded defensive tackle room, it will be hard to even make the practice squad. Smith III is talented and has flashed in camp, but he'll need to keep that up to stick around in Las Vegas.
Treven Ma'ae - Will he show out like he did last preseason?
Ma'ae was a stud last preseason and gave the Raiders no choice but to keep him on the practice squad. Now, the road is even harder, so he'll need to bring his A game.
Linebacker:
Nakobe Dean - Can he stay healthy and lead this new defense?
Dean has a nasty injury history, but he has been tasked with green dot responsibilities, so his ability to communicate will be crucial. That starts with being out there, and then he needs to prove that he's got a firm grip on an entirely new defense with a lot of new and moving parts.
Quay Walker - Will his new role help him take his game to another level?
Walker has made it clear that he was limited with the Green Bay Packers. But as a WILL linebacker for Rob Leonard, he will have many more responsibilities and could make a bigger impact. Or it could all be too much for him. Fans will have to wait and see.
Cody Lindenberg - Can he emerge as LB3?
Lindenberg had a strong spring, and he picked off Mendoza during Tuesday's practice to break the silence about him at training camp. With two injury-prone linebackers ahead of him and more of a defensive rotation expected, Lindenberg could prove that he's the next man up.
Tommy Eichenberg - Can he emerge as LB3?
Different player, same question. Eichenberg hasn't produced the same buzz that his "-berg" counterpart has, but it was noted by one reporter that he's been slept on at camp. For the same reasons listed above, Eichenberg has a chance to take on a bigger role and be the first rotational guy.
Segun Olubi - Will his special teams prowess keep him on the roster?
Olubi was signed this offseason to play special teams and potentially help out at linebacker. With the -bergs emerging ahead of him on defense, Olubi will need to string together a handful of strong showings on special teams and maybe make a splash play like a blocked kick to stick around.
Cameron McGrone - Can he do enough to warrant a practice squad spot?
McGrone has basically no experience on defense at the NFL level, and his special teams prowess isn't comparable to Lindenberg, Eichenberg or Olubi. So, he'll have a hard time making the 53-man roster, but if he shows enough promise in one phase or another, they could put him on the practice squad.
Xavian Sorey Jr. - Will he show enough flashes to make the 53?
Call me crazy, but if Sorey Jr. makes a big impact during the preseason, he could earn that fifth linebacker role. And if the Raiders opt for 6 linebackers on the 53-man roster, then Sorey Jr. should be the next man up as a promising UDFA to develop.
Buddy Johnson - Can he make a splash play and find a home elsewhere?
Johnson had an interception at camp, but he is still a long shot to make this roster, even in a thin linebacker room. Las Vegas probably wants to keep a younger player to develop on the practice squad, so the question for him becomes whether he can put enough on tape to find another home.
Cornerback:
Eric Stokes - Will he emerge as a true shutdown corner?
Stokes was awesome last season in his first year with the Raiders. But with a $30 million price tag now attached to him, can he take that step from good to great? Las Vegas is figuring out the CB2 spot, so they need Stokes to be at the top of his game.
Darien Porter - Can he hold off Zeke Masses and retain his starting role?
Porter hasn't even played poorly at camp, and his starting job is in jeopardy. That says more about Masses than it does Porter. However, to get the nod on opening day, Porter needs to ratchet things up even more on defense and prove that he's the man for the job.
Zeke Masses - Will he prove that he's physical enough to handle CB1 duties?
The knock on Masses in the pre-draft cycle was that he wasn't big or physical enough. So far, he has proven those notions wrong, but he needs to do it against non-Raiders wideouts. Making tackles and not getting thrown around, whether he's in the slot or coming in from the boundary, will be critical.
Taron Johnson - How is he handling his transition to nickel/safety hybrid?
For the first time in his career, Johnson isn't just playing in the slot. Las Vegas wants him to be a hybrid between a nickel defender and a free safety, and that's a sizeable adjustment for an aging player. Johnson needs to prove that he's capable of taking on this big change.
Jermod McCoy - Can he make it through an entire game and maintain his level of play?
McCoy hasn't played a football game in a long time, but he has no restrictions heading into Thursday. Both the team and the fans are eager to see how his knee holds up in such a large sample size and whether or not he can maintain a high level of play throughout the game as his recovery continues.
Decamerion Richardson - Will he make a serious case to stick around on the roster?
Richardson has been a bit underappreciated in training camp, but it sounds like he is playing well. However, he is still up against it as he fights for a roster spot. With a strong preseason, Richardson can make that decision easy for the team.
Greedy Vance Jr. - Can he flash and make big plays like he has in practice?
Vance Jr. doesn't look like most of the Raiders' other nickel defenders, but he has made a pair of interceptions against Mendoza during camp. If he can continue to make splash plays and take the ball away, Rob Leonard is going to want to keep him around.
Chigozie Anusiem - Will he outplay young counterparts for a practice squad spot?
Anusiem has a treacherous path to the 53-man team, and the water is murky for the practice squad as well. He'll need to show some serious stuff this preseason for the team to sign him to the practice squad instead of developing a younger player at the position with that spot.
Caleb Offord - Can he make an argument to stick around on the practice squad?
Offord popped on film last fall, and he recorded an interception during camp. But he'll need to string together a few performances for the team to take a gamble on him with so little guaranteed money on his deal.
Devyn Perkins - Will his immense defensive and special teams versatility keep him around?
Perkins can line up at a myriad of positions on defense, and he played on five special teams units as a senior in college. This could give him ample opportunities to play in different situations this preseason, and that increases his chances of sticking on the practice squad if he plays well.
Safety:
Jeremy Chinn - Will he show improvement in coverage in new scheme?
Chinn is everything that a coach could want from a physical perspective, and he is a very good run defender, which is a great asset. But the Raiders' defensive versatility will beg of him to be better at guarding his yard, and he needs to put that on display.
Isaiah Pola-Mao - Can he hold off a challenging Treydan Stukes for the deep safety role?
After a rough season in 2025, Pola-Mao is being slotted back in as the starting deep safety. But Treydan Stukes is his biggest challenger, and the young player is coming along more by the day. Pola-Mao needs a big preseason to avoid getting knocked down a peg in the rotation.
Treydan Stukes - How quickly can he learn multiple spots and get on the field?
Stukes' path to playing time is a bit more complicated than most rookies, as they are asking him to learn two positions (free safety and nickel). Only when he's learned both of those and can blend the lines between them to confuse offenses will he emerge as a starter and critical piece of this defense.
Dalton Johnson - Can he become a special teams ace?
Johnson, as it stands now, is going to have a hard time cracking the safety rotation. What will be important for him is mastering every phase of special teams and becoming the kind of player that the coaching staff simply can't live without.
Tristin McCollum - Will he become more than a special teams player?
McCollum is a solid player in the third phase of the game, and he didn't look half bad at safety last year, either. His ability to play in the box and deep should be coveted by this regime, but McCollum will need to prove that he's capable of taking a step on defense as well.
Devin Lafayette - Will his versatility make him a worthwhile investment?
Lafayette played everywhere in college, and the Raiders love versatility. He's a long shot to make the 53-man team, but he could prove that he's worth a developmental flyer on the practice squad with a strong preseason.
Specialists:
Matt Gay - Will he show the consistency needed for a starter?
Gay has a fairly strong leg, albeit not an elite one, but he's been erratic in recent years and at camp. He needs a stable preseason to give the fanbase a reason not to worry.
Kansei Matsuzawa - Can he show improved leg strength?
The big knock on The Tokyo Toe in college was lack of leg strength, and he hasn't calmed those concerns yet at camp. He'll need to connect on some long field goals to be the team's kicker.
A.J. Cole - Can he remain a steady presence in the specialist room?
While everyone else is competing for their spot, Cole is trying to level up back to being an All-Pro. His leadership and expertise will also be needed as the lone returner from last.
Alex Ward - Will he win the long snapper battle?
Cut and dry here. Ward has seemingly been the first-teamer, but he'll need a strong preseason to keep it that way.
Tyler Duzansky - Will he pull an upset in the long snapper battle?
Duzansky came out of college highly praised, but he has primarily been working with the 2s. A strong preseason is needed to dethrone Ward.
