Rap: Expect Brock Bowers (knee) to play in Week 3

Bowers showed no ill effects from his Week 1 meniscus trim, lining up all over the formation and dominating Saints defenders from start to finish. Bowers thrived on out routes and crossers, but also played well as a toe-tapping vertical weapon on the sideline. He muscled through contact on a catch-and-run on the Raiders’ third drive and later made a 20-yard catch, tumbling backward as he secured it on the Raiders’ sixth drive. He scored on an out route from the slot on the Raiders’ ninth drive, bringing the game up to six total tight end touchdowns, tying the NFL’s record. Bowers can be treated as the overall TE1 against the Chiefs next week.

Bowers makes his debut in coach Klint Kubiak’s offense against the Saints today. The two-time Pro Bowl player should be started as a high-end TE1, although it might take a game or two for Bowers to get back into form. That said, it might not. He is an exceptionally talented player who should immediately function as his team’s top target earner.

Bowers will still need to test out his knee during pre-game warmups, but all signs point to him making his 2026 debut later today. The team heavily limited his workload during practice this week and could do so in his first game back from the late offseason meniscus trim. Still, if Bowers is active, fantasy managers have to get him in their lineups.

Bowers did not practice today, but head coach Klint Kubiak said that was part of the team’s plan for managing his injury. Bowers had been limited each of the past two days. It seems plausible given how often he’s being managed at practice that he’d be on a snap count if active, but that’s just our speculation. Kubiak added that the team will not be working Bowers out pre-game like they did ahead of Week 2. Bowers-reliant managers are used to having contingency plans at this point and that will remain the case for Week 3.

This is great to see. Bowers has now participated in three consecutive practices, dating back to last week. We do not yet know his participation level. He has been limited in his last two appearances. Bowers is seemingly on track to play in Week 3 against the Saints. Treat him as an elite TE1 if he takes the field on Sunday.

That makes two consecutive limited sessions for Bowers, who resumed practicing on Friday last week. The Raiders’ star tight end and No. 1 pass catcher is on track to play this week against the Saints and can be treated as an elite TE1, as usual, assuming this is the case. It would be great to see Bowers resume practicing in full tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Bowers returned to the practice field last Friday and logged a limited session. The star tight end will likely have a chance to log multiple practices this week and should have a realistic shot at suiting up against the Saints. Kubiak said on Sunday that Bowers was “very close” to dressing on game day, and a Week 3 return has always felt like the unofficial deadline if his recovery goes well. Bowers’ status will be one to monitor throughout the week, but it sounds like he is trending in the right direction at the start of this week.

Kubiak adds that Bowers “looks great.” The Raiders’ star tight end practiced in a limited capacity on Friday and went through pre-game warmups today to see if he could play, despite being listed as doubtful. Nothing is set in stone, and re-injuries are possible, but Kubiak’s comments are very encouraging. Bowers seemingly has a real chance to make his 2026 debut, playing in Kubiak’s offense for the very first time, in Week 3 against the Saints. He should be treated as an elite TE1 if active.

Bowers returned to practice on Friday but was listed as doubtful. He is eyeing a Week 3 return. Michael Mayer will draw the start again this week. Also inactive for the Raiders are CB Darien Porter, QB Aidan O’Connell, S Tristin McCollum, S Dalton Johnson, G Bryce Cabeldue, and DT JJ Pegues,

Bowers returned to the practice field Friday but apparently needs more time before he returns from his meniscectomy surgery performed less than two weeks ago. Michael Mayer will once again serve as the primary tight end after ranking second on the team in route rate while leading the team in targets (seven) against the Dolphins in Week 1. Continue to start Mayer as a locked-in TE1 for as long as Bowers remains sidelined.