Overview
- Multiple reports say Brock Bowers has been a limited participant in several practices this week and is expected to be cleared to play for the Raiders’ Week 3 game versus the Saints if Friday’s workout goes well.
- The team has used consecutive limited practice designations to monitor his progress and will use Friday’s session and medical signoff to determine his official game-day status.
- Bowers had a meniscus trim after injuring his left knee in training camp and previously missed games with a PCL sprain and bone bruise in the same knee, which explains the Raiders’ conservative, managed-workload plan.
- While Bowers missed the first two games, Michael Mayer stepped into the starting tight end role after signing a multi-year extension and has absorbed expanded snaps and targets during Las Vegas’ 2-0 start.
- If Bowers plays with controlled snaps, he could change the Raiders’ offensive looks by creating more intermediate passing options and drawing coverage that opens opportunities for other receivers while protecting his long-term health.