Raiders' Chip Kelly points to key injury for poor play-calling

Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly was put on notice by head coach Pete Carroll this week. Carroll suggested the Raiders needed to advance the sticks earlier on downs by running the ball. 

Kelly argued during his news conference Thursday that the Raiders tried to run the ball early against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5, but had to abandon the run game in the second half of a 40-6 blowout.

He also pointed to tight end Brock Bowers' injury as to why it's hard to call plays right now. Las Vegas ruled out Bowers for the second game in a row in Week 6 with a PCL injury, and Kelly told reporters he has to call the game differently without him.

"You lose the premier tight end in the NFL, and play calling is different," Kelly said via ESPN's Ryan McFadden. "You have to be able to make adjustments when you lose players like that, and you've got to move on, because no one's feeling sorry for you when you have a guy down."

Chip Kelly is hopeful about Brock Bowers' return

Kelly understands that losing key players is part of football. Still, he's hopeful to get the 2024 first-round pick back on the field sooner rather than later.

"So, that's just the nature of the game, and we're hopeful we'll get Brock back soon here," Kelly said. He's working his tail off to get back in the rehab process, so we'll see how that goes."

Bowers recorded 19 receptions for 225 while playing through the PCL injury in the first four weeks. Las Vegas will host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.