Major Week 2 injury update on Raiders' Brock Bowers emerges

The Las Vegas Raiders did not need star tight end Brock Bowers to cruise to a comfortable 27-13 Week 1 win over the Miami Dolphins this past Sunday. 

Bowers missed that game after he needed a "meniscus trim" on his knee, but recent whispers suggested he could play for Las Vegas in this coming Sunday's matchup at the 0-1 Los Angeles Chargers. 

On Wednesday morning, NFL insider Dan Graziano of ESPN suggested that fantasy football owners who have Bowers on their rosters may not want to put him in their lineups quite yet. 

Raiders "determined to be careful" with Brock Bowers after last season

"Bowers' knee injury is not overly serious, from what I am told," Graziano explained. "The team felt he could have played last week if necessary, and it's possible he returns this week. But the organization is determined to be careful with this very important player and not play him until they're 100% certain he's not being affected by the knee."

The 13th overall pick of the 2024 draft, Bowers dealt with knee issues last fall and ultimately appeared in just 12 games during his second pro season. In total, he recorded 64 receptions for 680 yards and seven touchdowns. 

To compare, Pro Football Reference stats show that Bowers ended his rookie campaign ranked third in the NFL with 112 receptions and 1,194 receiving yards. That season, he tallied five touchdown catches over 17 contests. 

As noted by ESPN, tight end Michael Mayer and running back Ashton Jeanty led the Raiders with six receptions each against the Dolphins. Two of Jeanty's catches were for touchdowns, while Mayer accumulated 32 receiving yards. 

What is "the latest" that Brock Bowers will return for Raiders? 

Following Week 2, the Raiders will play at the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 27. Las Vegas then hosts the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 4. 

"I believe the latest you'll see Bowers is Week 4 against the Chiefs, but again, it could be sooner than that," Graziano added. 

As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Raiders as 6.5-point road underdogs against the Chargers.