RADIO
Brock Bowers Makes an Appearance During Friday's Practice
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) was spotted during the media accessible portion of Friday's practice for the first time since undergoing meniscus trim surgery on September 9th. Bowers missed the Raiders' season-opening win over the Dolphins, but his camp has held to a recovery timeline of 1-2 weeks, despite the procedure generally requiring a 4-6 week absence. Bowers' presence on Friday is an encouraging sign, and fantasy managers will need to check the team's official injury report when it is released later in the day for further information on his participation level. The third-year player was RotoBaller's TE1 heading into the 2026 season, and he should be viewed as a must-start as soon as he is made active to play.
Source: Sam Warren
Source: Sam Warren
Brock Bowers Missing Another Practice on Thursday
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) was not participating during the media-viewing portion of practice on Thursday, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Bowers had a meniscus trim on his left knee and missed the Week 1 season-opening win over the Miami Dolphins. Reports have suggested that the 23-year-old star tight end is not dealing with an overly serious injury, potentially putting him in play to make his season debut this Sunday in Week 2 against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers. Head coach Klint Kubiak was hopeful on Wednesday that Bowers would return to practice on either Thursday or Friday. Bowers' status continues to be up in the air, and if he is cleared to play on Sunday, he could carry bust potential for fantasy managers if the Raiders decide to limit his snaps. Michael Mayer was the Raiders' top pass-catching TE in the Week 1 win over Miami, catching six of his seven targets for 32 yards. If Bowers misses another game, Mayer will once again be on the TE streaming radar, especially in two-TE leagues.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
No Practice for Brock Bowers on Wednesday
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said that tight end Brock Bowers (knee) will not practice on Wednesday, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. The Athletic's Sam Warren is reporting that Kubiak hopes that Bowers will be able to return to practice on Thursday or Friday. Bowers did not play in the team's season-opening win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday after having the meniscus in his left knee trimmed. His injury is not overly serious, which gives him a chance to make his 2026 season debut in Week 2 for a divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, but the star TE must first return to practice later this week. And if Bowers is cleared to play this Sunday against the Bolts, there is a possibility that he will be on a snap count. In Bowers' absence in the 27-13 win over Miami, Michael Mayer caught six of seven targets for 32 yards. It was not much, but if Bowers misses a second straight game, Mayer will once again be in position to be a streamer at the position after Cardinals TE Trey McBride tormented L.A. in Week 1.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Brock Bowers Could Play in Week 2 Against Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers' knee injury is "not overly serious," from what ESPN's Dan Graziano is told. The Raiders felt that he could have played in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Miami Dolphins, and there is a possibility he makes his 2026 season debut in Week 2 against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers. With that said, the organization is determined "to be careful" with their star player and not play him until they are 100% certain he is not affected by his knee injury. Graziano thinks the latest we will see Bowers returns is Week 4 against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, but it could be sooner than that. Head coach Klint Kubiak said on Monday that the 23-year-old is day-to-day going into Week 2 preparation. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on Bowers' practice status from Wednesday through Friday. If he is cleared to play on Sunday, he will be a must-start in fantasy lineups. If he is held out for a second straight week, Michael Mayer will be a streaming TE option again after catching six of seven targets for 32 yards in the Week 1 win over Miami.
Source: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
Source: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
Brock Bowers Now Considered Day-to-Day
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is now considered day-to-day after undergoing a meniscus trim last week, according to Adam Schefter. Head coach Klint Kubiak gave the update Monday, which is another good sign after Bowers missed Sunday's opener against Miami. Schefter reported over the weekend that the Raiders believed Bowers had a realistic chance to return in Week 2, but he still has work to do before that happens. Bowers did not practice at all last week before being ruled out. The Raiders visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, so his participation over the next few days should give fantasy managers a much better idea of where things stand. Michael Mayer handled the larger role in Bowers' absence and caught six of seven targets for 32 yards. He remains the fallback option if Bowers needs another week, but the day-to-day label keeps a Week 2 return firmly in play.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Michael Mayer a Top Week 2 Streamer if he Starts Again
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer took advantage of the starting job in Sunday's 27-13 win over Miami, catching six passes for 32 yards with Brock Bowers sidelined following a meniscus procedure. The yardage wasn't much, but six catches are enough to get attention at tight end. Mayer has done this before when the Raiders needed more from him. In the four games he played without Bowers last season, he totaled 18 receptions for 196 yards, accounting for more than half of his season production in both categories. Las Vegas also signed Mayer to a multi-year extension just before the opener. His Week 2 appeal now comes down largely to Bowers' availability. Bowers was initially expected to miss a game or two, so another start against the Chargers remains possible. If Bowers sits again, Mayer belongs near the top of the tight end streaming options on the waiver wire. His short-term fantasy value drops quickly once Bowers returns.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brock Bowers Spotted Walking Unassisted with Leg Sleeve
Sam Warren of The Athletic reports that he spotted Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) walking out of the Raiders' locker room "unaided" with a leg sleeve on his left leg, following Las Vegas' 27-13 season-opening win over the Miami Dolphins. The positive update comes on the heels of a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter that Bowers could potentially return in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers in L.A. Bowers underwent a meniscus trim on Sept. 8. While Bowers is out, Michael Mayer will benefit in the Raiders' offense. Mayer saw seven targets in Week 1 and recorded six receptions for 32 yards. When Bowers returns at full health, he will immediately jump back into his status as an elite fantasy football tight end.
Source: Sam Warren - The Athletic
Source: Sam Warren - The Athletic
Brock Bowers Has a Realistic Chance to Play in Week 2
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is working his way back from a meniscus trim, and the team believes "there's a realistic chance" that he will be able to return in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Bowers underwent the trim just a few days ago, so it would be impressive to see him return to action within two weeks. Nevertheless, the Raiders believe it's possible, and the team will continue to evaluate how he feels. There's no need to rush Bowers back this early in the season, but if he's indeed capable of playing next week, the Raiders would be thrilled to get him back into the mix. He had 64 catches, 680 yards, and seven touchdowns last season, and he was the TE1 back in 2024 with 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. While Bowers works to get back on the field, Michael Mayer will temporarily step in as the team's top tight end.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Michael Mayer a Worthy Start in Favorable Week 1 Matchup
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer played a limited role as a receiver in 2025, recording 35 catches for 328 yards and one touchdown on 50 targets across 13 games. However, with Raiders TE1 Brock Bowers (knee) sidelined, Mayer could step into an elevated target share in the Raiders' 2026 season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Across four games with Bowers inactive in 2025, Mayer recorded 18 catches for 196 yards and a touchdown on 24 targets. While his numbers may not leap off the page, Las Vegas should field an improved passing game with new head coach Klint Kubiak calling plays in 2026. The Dolphins also profile as a favorable matchup on paper for Mayer, as Miami allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends last season. All in all, Mayer projects as a low-end top-12 tight end option for fantasy managers in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Mayer Cashes In On Contract Extension
The Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to a three-year contract extension with tight end Michael Mayer that is reportedly worth $45 million, with $30 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. The $15 million per year ranks fourth among current tight ends, according to Rapoport. Mayer will slide into the starting lineup after Brock Bowers is set to miss 1-2 weeks this season. Mayer played in 13 games last season and caught 35 passes on 50 targets for 328 yards and one touchdown. Mayer makes for a good play in week 1 as the Raiders take on the Miami Dolphins in a home matchup. The Notre Dame product will look to maximize his value after receiving a lucrative deal and show that he is worthy of being paid as the No. 4 tight end on an annual basis.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Raiders Won't Commit to Brock Bowers' Return Timeline
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) still does not have a return date from the team after undergoing a meniscus trim Tuesday. Head coach Klint Kubiak told Ryan McFadden that the situation developed quickly and said the Raiders "got it cleaned up," but he declined to say whether Bowers is expected to miss one or two games. That is worth noting after outside reports suggested he could be sidelined for the first two weeks. Bowers is already out for Sunday's opener against Miami, and Las Vegas visits the Chargers in Week 2. He caught 64 passes for 680 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games last season, so there is no replacing his role outright. Michael Mayer should get the first crack at more work after posting 35 catches for 328 yards and one score in 2025, with Ian Thomas also available. Fantasy managers should continue to plan without Bowers for Week 1 and treat Week 2 as uncertain until the Raiders give a clearer indication of his progress.
Source: Ryan McFadden
Source: Ryan McFadden
Brock Bowers Likely Out For Week 2 As Well
Las Vegas Raiders star tight end Brock Bowers (knee) reportedly had meniscus trim surgery done in Dallas, and according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, he could miss Week 2. "Out the opener, probably out Week 2, and then we will see after that," Rapoport said on Good Morning Football. Rapoport did note that the fact that it was a meniscus trim rather than a meniscus repair is a promising sign, as he says the trim surgeries are measured in weeks rather than months for meniscus repairs. Bowers is an elite tight end, so his fantasy managers don't want to hear the news of his absence. But if he can keep it at just a two-week absence, it will be manageable and will avoid potential disaster. But now it does sound like Bowers is unlikely for Week 2 as well.
Source: NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport
Michael Mayer a Top Tight End Streamer Following Injury to Teammate
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer's pass-catching production has been limited over the past two seasons thanks to the presence of superstar Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee). However, the Raiders announced on Wednesday that Bowers recently had a meniscus trim and is now expected to miss the first one or two games of 2026. As a result, Mayer should operate as the Raiders' TE1 to begin the year. Across the four games he played in 2025 when Bowers was sidelined by injury, Mayer recorded 18 catches for 196 yards and a touchdown on 24 targets. The Raiders should have a more stable offensive environment in 2026 with Kirk Cousins at quarterback and Klint Kubiak calling plays. Ahead of a relatively favorable matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, Mayer could be a worthy tight end streamer for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brock Bowers to Miss "a Game or Two" After Meniscus Trim
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) underwent a meniscus trim on Tuesday and is now expected to miss "a game or two," per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter reports that Bowers got banged up "a little" in training camp and that the surgery was scheduled last week. While the initial return timeline for Bowers sounds relatively positive, this surprise surgery is still a worrying development for fantasy managers. The star tight end's 2025 production was down across the board after he suffered a PCL sprain in his left knee in Week 1. Bowers attempted to play through the injury for much of the season before eventually being placed on Injured Reserve in December. It appears the Raiders are being a bit more proactive this time around, which could help Bowers get back to full strength more quickly. Still, fantasy managers may want to downgrade their expectations for his production, at least initially upon his return. With Bowers sidelined, Raiders tight end Michael Mayer will likely play a larger role in the Las Vegas passing game.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Brock Bowers Projected for a Massive Target Share
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is likely headed for an enormous target share in 2026. Injuries and subpar quarterback play limited Bowers to just 64 catches, 680 yards, and seven touchdowns last year. However, he had 112 catches on 153 targets as a rookie in 2024, and he's looking to get back to that level of volume this year. The good news is that he's fully healthy and got a quarterback upgrade this offseason, as the Raiders moved on from Geno Smith. Kirk Cousins will lead the offense for now, and we know that he's capable of elevating his tight ends to the next level. After Cousins took over the Falcons' offense last year, tight end Kyle Pitts averaged 8.0 targets, 0.6 touchdowns, and 16.3 fantasy points per game. That should be Bowers' floor, and his ceiling is significantly higher. There's a legitimate chance that Bowers will finish as the overall TE1 this year if he stays healthy for all 17 games. For now, he has an ADP of 19.8, which corresponds to the second round of fantasy drafts and makes him the first tight end off the board.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
