RADIO
Brock Bowers a Must-Start if He's Active in Week 3
Is this the week that Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) makes his 2026 debut? He was considered "day-to-day" throughout the week and logged limited practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out Friday's practice. He is officially questionable for a Week 3 matchup with the New Orleans Saints. It's unclear if Bowers' "DNP" practice status on Friday was due to precaution or because there was some sort of setback. Las Vegas head coach Klint Kubiak previously said that Bowers was "very close" to playing in Week 2, and the outlook for his Week 3 availability for a game in New Orleans has generally been optimistic. Bowers missed the first two games of the 2026 season after he underwent a meniscus trim in his left knee on Sept. 8. If Bowers is active, there is also the possibility that he is on some sort of pitch count, but that remains unclear. He currently ranks as RotoBaller's No. 5 tight end and faces a defense in New Orleans that is giving up 205 passing yards per game. If healthy and not limited, expect Bowers to immediately slot back into a premier option in the passing game. He is projected to score 10.4 fantasy points in Week 3.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Mayer's Fantasy Value Hinges on Teammate Returning
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is coming off a quiet Week 2 performance, and his impact in Week 3 greatly hinges on whether Brock Bowers (knee) makes his season debut. Mayer was a solid fill-in for Bowers in Week 1 when he caught six of seven targets for 32 yards against the Miami Dolphins, then saw less action in Week 2 and tallied just three receptions on four targets for 23 yards. It isn't readily clear who new quarterback Kirk Cousins' preferred targets are, though receivers like Tre Tucker and Jack Bech will likely get more looks if Bowers stays out another week. Mayers' status as a streaming option is strongly tied to whether Bowers plays, which fantasy managers need to keep an eye on ahead of Sunday's road battle against the New Orleans Saints.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Brock Bowers Questionable to Make Season Debut in Week 3
Las Vegas Raiders star tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is questionable to make his 2026 season debut against the New Orleans Saints on the road on Sunday in Week 3, head coach Klint Kubiak told Sam Warren of The Athletic. Kubiak said that Bowers' non-participation on Friday was part of the plan as he continues to recover from a meniscus trim that he had just before the start of the regular season. With Bowers missing wins over the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers in the first two weeks, tight end Michael Mayer stepped in to catch nine of his 11 targets for 55 yards and no touchdowns. The 23-year-old Bowers seemed like a lock to return to action this weekend after practicing in a limited fashion on Wednesday and Thursday, but the Raiders might be waiting to see how Bowers looks during pre-game warmups on Sunday. It will make fantasy managers' decisions more difficult with Bowers this weekend. You will need a backup plan just in case, especially with the Raiders' game this Sunday coming in the later window. If Bowers does make his debut in the Big Easy, do not be surprised if the Raiders ease him in and put him on a snap count.
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Brock Bowers Not Seen at Friday's Practice
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) was not seen during the team's media accessible portion of Friday's practice, according to The Athletic's Sam Warren. Bowers, who has missed the first two games of the season after undergoing meniscus trim surgery on September 8th, was a limited participant in the team's first two practices of the week, so his absence on Friday is a notable step back. Bowers was RotoBaller's TE1 entering the season, but with the potential of a limited snap count or the looming risk of further setback, he could be difficult to start even if he manages to suit up for a Week 3 matchup with the Saints, which now looks less likely than it once did.
Source: Sam Warren
Source: Sam Warren
Brock Bowers Practices Again Thursday
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) was back at practice Thursday, according to Sam Warren of The Athletic. Bowers was limited Wednesday, so this makes two straight days on the field as he works back from a left meniscus trim on Sept. 8. He has missed the Raiders' first two games. Bowers did return to limited practice last Friday and went through a pregame workout before Sunday's win over the Chargers, but Las Vegas kept him inactive. Head coach Klint Kubiak said afterward that Bowers was "very close" to returning. Thursday's participation level has not been posted yet, so it is too early to say whether he will be full or limited. Still, another practice keeps a Week 3 return against New Orleans very much in play. UPDATE: Bowers was limited in practice again on Thursday.
Source: Sam Warren
Source: Sam Warren
Brock Bowers "Day-to-Day," Will Practice on Wednesday
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said that tight end Brock Bowers (knee) will be evaluated "day-to-day" and also said that Bowers will practice on Wednesday, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Bowers has a very good chance of making his season debut in Week 3 on the road against the New Orleans Saints as long as he gets through the week of practice without any setbacks to his knee. Bowers missed the first two weeks of the 2026 season following a meniscus trim that he had on his left knee on Sept. 8, but he appears to be itching to go this weekend against the Saints. The 23-year-old former first-rounder was a limited participant in practice last Friday, but hopefully he can upgrade to full at some point this week. In his absence for the first two games, Michael Mayer did not make a huge statement, but he was adequate, catching nine of 11 passes for 55 yards. Bowers has elite TE1 upside for fantasy football managers when he is healthy, and he should be returned to all starting lineups if he is active in Week 3. UPDATE: Bowers was officially limited on Wednesday, according to Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Brock Bowers Has Strong Chance to Make Week 3 Debut
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) has a strong chance to make his 2026 debut Sunday against New Orleans, according to ESPN. People inside the organization reportedly felt Bowers was moving well when he returned to practice last Friday. He had missed Wednesday and Thursday before getting in a limited session, then sat out Week 2 while listed as doubtful. Bowers underwent a meniscus trim before the season and has yet to play through Las Vegas' 2-0 start. ESPN also does not expect a major snap or target restriction if Bowers is cleared. The Raiders have been cautious so far, but his chances of playing appear to be improving.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Brock Bowers Expected to Make Season Debut in Week 3
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is expected to make his 2026 season debut in Week 3 on the road against the New Orleans Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The 23-year-old star tight end missed the first two games of the year after having the meniscus in his knee trimmed right before the start of the regular season. Michael Mayer was an unspectacular TE2 streamer in his absence, catching nine passes for 55 yards in wins over the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers. Bowers, the 13th overall pick in 2024, caught 112 passes for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie and is expected to be the No. 1 option in the passing game for veteran Kirk Cousins now that he is on the verge of a return. Bowers has become riskier for fantasy purposes after missing time the last two years with knee issues, but when healthy, we all know that he has the potential to be the most productive TE in the NFL. If Bowers does not suffer a setback in practice this week, he should be locked into all starting fantasy lineups for Week 3 in New Orleans.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Michael Mayer Is Only a Short-Term Streaming Option
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer has filled in for Brock Bowers (knee) without doing much to force his way into fantasy lineups. Mayer caught six passes for 32 yards in Week 1, then followed with three receptions for 23 yards against the Chargers, giving him nine catches for 55 yards through two games. The bigger issue is Bowers' return. Head coach Klint Kubiak said Monday that Bowers will practice this week after missing the first two games, and he had already returned to a limited practice last Friday. If Bowers sits again, Mayer can still be used as a short-term streamer against New Orleans. If Bowers is cleared, Mayer becomes much harder to hold outside deeper formats. RotoBaller's Week 3 tight end waiver article still lists Mayer among the options to add, but its cut list also has him as a drop in most leagues. That split makes sense. Mayer's value right now depends almost entirely on whether Bowers needs another week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brock Bowers to Practice This Week
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said on Monday that tight end Brock Bowers (knee) will practice this week as the team prepares for their Week 3 battle on the road against the New Orleans Saints, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Bowers had a meniscus trim on Sept. 8 and did not play in the first two games of the regular season. However, he returned to practice and was limited last Friday, signaling that he has a good chance to make his 2026 debut this coming weekend as long as he does not suffer any setbacks during practice this week. Michael Mayer did not really move the fantasy needle as a streaming TE in the two games that Bowers missed, catching nine of his 11 targets for 55 receiving yards. Bowers, the former 13th overall pick in 2024 from Georgia, played in only 12 games in 2025 due to injury, but he had a 1,000-yard season as a rookie and is an elite, high-end TE1 in fantasy whenever he is active. Fantasy managers are chomping at the bit to get Bowers into their lineups for Week 3.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Brock Bowers Was "Very Close" to Playing in Week 2 Against Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said that star tight end Brock Bowers (knee) was "very close" to playing in Week 2, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Bowers was inactive for the second consecutive week, sitting out the Raiders' 26-14 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Bowers underwent a meniscus trim in his left knee on Sept. 8. Bowers did log a limited practice session on Friday and had a doubtful designation ahead of Sunday's game with the Chargers, but he was ultimately ruled out. The fact that Bowers was able to get a limited session in recently and Kubiak saying he was close to playing are all positive signs, but the Raiders appear to be approaching the situation with caution. It is not out of the realm of possibility that Bowers plays in Week 3 on the road against the New Orleans Saints, but it is something to monitor. If Bowers remains out, fellow tight end Michael Mayer will continue to benefit in his absence.
Source: Ryan McFadden - ESPN
Source: Ryan McFadden - ESPN
Brock Bowers Inactive Against Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to the team. Bowers missed practice Wednesday and Thursday before returning on a limited basis Friday, but he entered the weekend listed as doubtful. This will be his second straight missed game after he also sat out the season opener against Miami. Michael Mayer is next up at tight end for Las Vegas, with Ian Thomas also available behind him. Reports have suggested that Bowers has a good chance to make his 2026 debut in a Week 3 matchup next Sunday, Sept. 27, against the New Orleans Saints on the road.
Source: Las Vegas Raiders
Source: Las Vegas Raiders
Brock Bowers Should Be Back For Week 3
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) will miss Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers but is likely to return for Week 3's game for the Raiders, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Bowers missed the first two weeks after having a meniscus trim procedure in his knee. Bowers practiced on Friday, according to Rapoport, which should give an indication that he will be back next week for the Raiders' game against the New Orleans Saints. Michael Mayer has been filling in for Bowers at the tight end position, but Bowers, when healthy, is one of the best fantasy tight ends in the league. It is looking like the Raiders and fantasy managers will only miss out on a few games of action from the talented tight end. If everything goes according to plan, he should be back in lineups ready to go in Week 3.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Michael Mayer a Strong Streaming Option on Sunday vs. Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer has big shoes to fill yet again in Week 2 against the host Los Angeles Chargers. With Brock Bowers (knee) doubtful to play on Sunday, Mayer inherits the TE1 role against a Bolts pass rush that allowed just 179.9 passing yards per game in 2025. Mayer was efficient in Week 1, catching six of seven targets and converting three first downs against the Miami Dolphins, though he logged just 32 yards and no touchdowns. Injuries have peppered the Notre Dame product's NFL career, and he has yet to play a full season since entering the league in 2023. However, his chemistry with new starting quarterback Kirk Cousins could lead to even more targets in Week 2. This is Mayer's opportunity to boost his production in Bowers' absence, making him a viable streaming option.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Brock Bowers Doubtful to Play in Week 2
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said that tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is doubtful to play in Week 2 against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, according to Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review Journal. Bowers will work out before Sunday's game, but they will most likely hold him out and see if he can make his 2026 season debut in Week 3 on the road against the New Orleans Saints. It looks like Bowers will miss a second straight game to begin the year after having a meniscus trim right before the start of the campaign. Fantasy managers will have to go in another direction again at the TE position, but the good news is that the Raiders think Bowers will return sooner rather than later, and the fact that he was able to practice on Friday is a good sign. Backup Michael Mayer caught six of seven passes for 32 yards in the season-opening win over the Miami Dolphins last weekend and will once again be a steaming option at the position in deeper leagues in Week 2 against the Bolts.
Source: Las Vegas Review Journal - Adam Hill
Source: Las Vegas Review Journal - Adam Hill
