NFL: Las Vegas Raiders OTA
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89). Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images.
Brock Bowers will not play for the Las Vegas Raiders against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, ending any chance of the star tight end making his 2026 debut in Week 2.
Bowers was officially listed as inactive before the AFC West matchup at SoFi Stadium. The Raiders had left open the possibility of him playing after he returned to practice Friday, but the team ultimately decided against putting him on the field less than two weeks after his knee procedure.
The decision means Bowers will miss the first two games of the regular season. However, the latest reports indicate that the Raiders are optimistic about his availability for their Week 3 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
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Brock Bowers remains out after recent knee procedure
NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Arizona Cardinals
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89). Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Bowers underwent a meniscus trim on his left knee on Sept. 8 in Dallas after an injury suffered during training camp was diagnosed the previous week. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Bowers was initially expected to miss only “a game or two.”
The procedure forced Bowers to miss the Raiders’ season opener against the Miami Dolphins, although Las Vegas won that game 27-13. Bowers also missed the first two practices of Week 2 before returning to the field Friday.
Brock Bowers was listed as inactive by the Raiders ahead of their Week 2 matchup vs Chargers. pic.twitter.com/0i0LmXMTF1
— PFF Fantasy (@PFF_Fantasy) September 20, 2026
That Friday practice was the first time Bowers had participated since the procedure. He was limited and wore a sleeve on his left leg, but NFL.com reported that he was moving well during the portion of practice open to the media. Head coach Klint Kubiak had also said the Raiders would work Bowers out before Sunday’s game before making a final decision.
The Raiders ultimately listed Bowers as inactive alongside six other players, confirming that the team did not believe he was ready to return against Los Angeles. The official injury report had Bowers listed as doubtful after he did not practice Wednesday or Thursday before his limited session Friday.
Ian Rapoport provides positive Brock Bowers Week 3 update
NFL: Pro Bowl Games-AFC Practice
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89). Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Although Bowers will miss Sunday’s game, the latest reporting provides a more encouraging outlook for his return.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Bowers is expected to return next week when the Raiders travel to New Orleans. Rapoport pointed specifically to Bowers’ return to practice Friday as an important sign that his recovery is progressing.
Kubiak had already expressed optimism about a Week 3 return. When Bowers was listed as doubtful Friday, the Raiders coach said he expected the tight end to play the following week if he could not go against the Chargers.
That does not make a Week 3 appearance guaranteed. Bowers still needs to progress through practice without a setback, and his status should become clearer based on his workload next week. But the current expectation is that Sunday’s absence is part of a cautious recovery rather than an indication of a new injury.
Michael Mayer takes over again for Raiders
With Bowers inactive, Michael Mayer will again handle the primary tight end role for Las Vegas.
Mayer played a significant role in the Raiders’ Week 1 victory over Miami, catching six passes for 32 yards on seven targets. The Raiders also leaned heavily on their running game, with Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr. accounting for 188 of the team’s 290 total yards.
Bowers’ absence remains significant because of what he has provided since entering the NFL. The Raiders selected him No. 13 overall in the 2024 draft, and he immediately produced 112 receptions, 1,194 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie.
For now, the Raiders will proceed without him against the Chargers. The more important development for Las Vegas is that Bowers returned to practice before being ruled inactive, and both Rapoport’s latest report and Kubiak’s comments point toward the Saints game as the next target for his 2026 debut.