Raiders Share Latest On TE After Scary Injury

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The injury came at a particularly unfortunate time for Mayer. With rookie star Brock Bowers listed as questionable throughout the week, Mayer was in line for an expanded role. Yet Bowers suited up, leaving Mayer to handle more of his usual blocking and special-teams duties.

Before exiting, Mayer was targeted once on offense but did not record a reception. Instead, his most significant contributions came on punt coverage, where he logged two tackles—the second being the one that forced him from the game. At the time of his departure, the Raiders had managed just 45 yards of total offense across 11 plays and trailed 7-3.

The Raiders officially ruled Mayer out at halftime, confirming he would not return.

What It Means for the Las Vegas Raiders

For a Raiders offense already searching for rhythm in a 41-24 defeat, the loss of Mayer is more than a depth issue. Entering his third year, Mayer was viewed internally as a potential breakout candidate alongside Bowers. His absence now leaves the tight end rotation thin, with veteran Ian Thomas expected to step into the No. 2 role and potentially take Mayer’s place on special teams.

Concussions remain one of the most unpredictable injuries in the NFL, and the Raiders have yet to provide a timetable for Mayer’s return. While there is optimism that he avoided the worst, recovery could still take weeks depending on the severity of the diagnosis.

The Bigger Picture

For Las Vegas, the setback comes amid a challenging 1-2 start and lingering questions about offensive consistency. But beyond the tactical adjustments, Mayer’s health is the priority. The Raiders will need patience—and depth—to navigate his absence.