Las Vegas Raiders TE Brock Bowers sets the bar for Indianapolis Colts TE Tyler Warren.
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Las Vegas Raiders TE Brock Bowers sets the bar for Indianapolis Colts TE Tyler Warren.
One Los Angeles Chargers star player is hoping that Las Vegas Raiders star Brock Bowers is ready to go on Monday night for their AFC West showdown.
The Raiders opened Week 1 with a win over the New England Patriots, but Bowers suffered a knee injury after a strong performance. Las Vegas are eager to have Bowers available for their home opener, but they won’t take chances if he isn’t fully recovered.
Still, Chargers safety Derwin James is hoping Bowers will be ready for the showdown between the two rivals as he’s eager to go toe-to-toe with the player.
“Man, one of the best tight ends in the league,” James told reporters on September 12 (h/tFernando Ramirez of The Sporting Tribune). “Probably the best tight end in this league now, I could say that. One of the best. Fast, can run all the routes, man. Great young player.
“I can’t wait for that matchup. I look forward to it, man. Like I said, he’s a great young player. Seeing him at the Pro Bowl—he was on the AFC team—but man, I’m excited to go against him. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Will Brock Bowers Play Against theChargers?
The Raiders have an extra day toget ready, which could be just what Bowers needs to recover.This is definitely a situation to keep an eye on. As the team’s top offensive player, his absence would be a significant setback.
“I’m not sure. We’ll see how it’s feeling throughout the week, but I’m hoping to play,” Bowers said when asked about the injury,per ESPN.
If Bowers misses the game, it could open the door for Michael Mayer to make a significant impact. He performed strongly in Week 1, though he didn’t get many opportunities with the ball. As a result, James could be facing another tight end that the Raiders are likely high on.
Mayer, a second-round pick in 2023, was widely expected to emerge as a star tight end in the NFL. So far, that hasn’t materialized, partly because he’s missed significant time. Now healthy, he could see a bigger role in Week 2, even if Bowers is active.
Meanwhile, this could be the moment for Ashton Jeanty to make a statement. He averaged just 2.0 yards per carry in Week 1. Selected sixth overall, the Raiders hoped Jeanty could produce even behind a shaky offensive line.However, facing a strong Chargers front won’t make that any easier.
What’s the latest on the Raiders’ Brock Bowers injury
ESPN’s Ryan McFadden reported that Bowers didn’t practice on September 12, raising more concern about whether the star tight end will be ready for the Monday Night Football game.
While it’s a Week 2 clash, this is a nationally televised contest, so it’s an opportunity for the Silver and Black to put the NFL on notice that they are a serious playoff contender. A win over the Chargers would put the Raiders at 2-0, and if the Denver Broncos lose their game against the Indianapolis Colts, it would put Las Vegas atop the AFC West.