Raiders HC Pete Carroll provides injury update on TE Brock Bowers

The Las Vegas Raiders could use a boost, and that's putting it lightly.

Las Vegas is 2-5 on the season and last in the loaded AFC West,  coming off a miserable 31-0 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

This is a team that needs a spark, and it sounds like they very well may get it on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Star tight end Brock Bowers has been out for the past three games recovering from a knee injury, but he was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. Throw in the fact that he participated in both practices during the Raiders' bye week and also practiced this past Monday, and it sounds like Las Vegas has reason to be optimistic.

Not only that, but head coach Pete Carroll also relayed that Bowers isn't just back on the practice field, but he's back to looking elite as well.

"Last week, he looked good every day, particularly good on the Monday practice. And he kind of stole the show a little bit. So, we're thrilled to have him back," Carroll said on Wednesday, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN.

Raiders desperately need a healthy Brock Bowers

It has been a tough season for the former 13th overall pick out of Georgia. Bowers suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury and bone bruise in his left knee during the Raiders' season opener, and he played through that injury four the next three games. 

The Raiders decided to shut him down after that so that he could get the proper rest and fully heal up.

"It sucked, to be honest," Bowers said, speaking of that decision. "But it's in the past. I'm excited to get back out there."

He's excited, but the Raiders should be thrilled as well. In Week 1, he caught five passes for 103 yards, averaging 20.6 yards per catch. The Raiders put up 389 total yards in that game with 333 coming via the passing game.

Since then, it has been a struggle for Geno Smith and the Raiders. The Raiders are putting up just 182.7 yards per game on offense, which is the sixth-worst mark in the NFL. Specific to the passing game, over the past six games, the Raiders have notched just 946 total passing yards, which is the worst output in the league. 

Smith has also thrown for just seven touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions, so getting back a player of Bowers' caliber will be huge for both him and the Las Vegas offense.

"Brock is a big part of our offense, and we missed him out there for sure," Smith said. "He looked fine to me. So, really happy to have him back."