Raiders TE Brock Bowers To Play In Week 3

Bowers, 23, underwent a “meniscus trim” shortly before the regular season after a training camp injury. Knee surgery raised significant concerns about 2024 first-round pick’s outlook for the season after a PCL sprain limited him to just 12 games and 680 receiving yards after 17 appearances and nearly 1,200 yards as a rookie.

However, initial prognostications of a one- to two-game absence have turned out to be accurate. The Raiders did not elevate a tight end from their practice squad this week, as they did for their past two games, further indicating that Bowers will be on the field in Week 3.

The Raiders’ passing game has been surprisingly solid to open the year without their All-Pro tight end. The team ranks first with six touchdowns through the air and 10th with 6.7 yards per attempt, but their 2.8 rushing yards per carry is dead-last in the league. Bowers’ more obvious contributions come through the air, but his ability to line up in the slot as a tight end changes the math for opposing defenses in the run game, too. His availability is huge for head coach Klint Kubiak’s offense, which frequently uses on multiple tight ends to influence defensive personnel selection and scheme up advantages for explosive plays.

As a result, No. 2 tight end Michael Mayer should still be in line for a full workload even with Bowers’ return. His recent contract extension is even more evidence of Kubiak’s commitment to his tight end-heavy offense for this season and into the future.