The Las Vegas Raiders will begin the 2026 season without one of their most important offensive weapons. Brock Bowers will miss the Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins after undergoing a knee procedure.
Bowers Will Miss Week 1
The tight end underwent a procedure related to a knee issue, with the initial expectation being that he will miss one or two games.
His absence is significant for Las Vegas because Bowers has quickly become one of the team's most dangerous weapons in the passing game.
Raiders Must Adjust Their Offense
Without Bowers, Las Vegas will have to distribute his responsibilities among other offensive players. Michael Mayer could take on a larger role at tight end while Bowers recovers.
The injury also puts additional pressure on the rest of the Raiders offense heading into the season opener against Miami.
Positive News on Ashton Jeanty
There was some positive news for Las Vegas as running back Ashton Jeanty returned to full practice after dealing with an ankle injury.
Jeanty's availability could provide the Raiders with another way to generate offense while Bowers is sidelined.
Recovery Will Be Closely Monitored
The Raiders hope Bowers can return within the initial one-to-two-game timeframe. The team will need to manage his recovery carefully to avoid a longer absence.