Brock Bowers injury update: Raiders TE leaves season-opener with knee injury

On Sunday, Raiders tight end Brock Bowers suffered a knee injury in Las Vegas’ season-opener against the New England Patriots. Bowers left the game and is questionable to return, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Bowers appeared to suffer the knee injury when he absorbed a low blow near the sideline. On the next play, Bowers could be seen limping before walking off the field. Bowers entered the injury tent shortly after reaching the sideline.

Before leaving the game, Bowers had five catches for a team-high 103 receiving yards. Bowers’ hot start to the season is no surprise. The former Georgia standout was fantastic in his debut NFL campaign last season.

Bowers led the Raiders with 112 catches for 1,194 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season. Bowers led all NFL tight ends in receptions and receiving yards. Additionally, Bowers’ 1,194 receiving yards were the most by any position in Raiders history.

To pile on, Bowers’ 112 receptions were the most-ever by an NFL rookie, shattering a record set by Puka Nacua only the previous year. Simply put, Bowers’ rookie year was nothing short of legendary.

Experts don’t expect Bowers to slow down this year. Ahead of the season, Bowers was named the 24th-best player in the NFL. During an appearance on Bussin With The Boys in July, Bowers explained how his first season in the NFL differed from his time at Georgia.

“It’s just way different,” Bowers said. “In college I feel like the coaches are trying to push you so hard because they have to and then in the NFL they’re kind of like, ‘You either do it or you’re going to get cut. We don’t care that much, we can have your replacement here tomorrow.’ It’s kind of a different mindset out of the coaches and the players.

“… “I’m just really big into winning every single rep and like trying to do that in the offseason… During OTAs I’m trying to do that and just pi--es me off when I don’t do that. So, it just pushes me to get better in every single facet I think. Because I feel like there’s not one thing I did great, but not one thing I did super duper bad. I’m just trying to elevate everything.”

Raiders backup tight end Michael Mayer will fill the hole left by Brock Bowers. While Mayer is regarded as more of a blocking tight end, he’s a strong second option at the position.