How long is Brock Bowers out? Knee injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Raiders TE

A highly anticipated tight end showdown between Brock Bowers and Tyler Warren didn't come to fruition, as Bowers was ruled out by the Las Vegas Raiders ahead of their Week 5 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.

The injury for Bowers, who had one of the all-time great rookie seasons by a tight end in 2024, stems from the Raiders' Week 1 win over the New England Patriots, when coach Pete Carroll initially said his young standout had avoided notable damage to his knee.

Bowers played through the injury in each of the following three games but wasn't nearly as effective as he was in a 103-yard season opener.

Could Bowers remain out beyond Week 5? Here are the latest details on his knee injury and status going forward.

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What is Brock Bowers' injury?

Bowers is dealing with a PCL injury and bone bruise in his knee, which date back to the Raiders' Week 1 win over the Patriots, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Las Vegas initially downplayed what appeared to be a significant injury, with Carroll telling reporters Bowers was held out the remainder of the game only as a precaution, and the 22-year-old played in each of the Raiders' next three games.

Bowers missing Week 5 doesn't necessarily mean he suffered a setback, but his health reportedly has not progressed the way he expected, necessitating rest if he wants to get back to full strength.

Here's a look at Bowers' timeline to return to the field.

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How long is Brock Bowers out?

Bowers is considered "week to week," according to Schefter. He will be re-evaluated ahead of the Raiders' Week 6 game against the Tennessee Titans, meaning this could be a multi-week absence for the tight end.

"Doctors have said the only way to recover from the knee injuries he suffered on opening day vs. the Patriots is to rest," Schefter reported. To this point, Bowers has not rested -- he was fully available for the Raiders in Weeks 2-4 but was not nearly as efficient as he was in Week 1. 

Raiders TE Brock Bowers has been playing through a PCL injury and bone bruise on his knee that has impacted his performance, per sources. Doctors have said the only way to recover from the knee injuries he suffered on opening day vs. the Patriots is to rest, which Bowers has been… pic.twitter.com/UAdyCiyb36

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 5, 2025

Carroll had said Friday that he anticipated Bowers playing in Indianapolis, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that the tight end was trending toward being inactive.

There is no indication Bowers suffered a setback, but with his knee not improving, the Raiders star appears to be trying to get as close to 100 percent as possible rather than risk the injury lingering throughout the season.

After Sunday's game against the Colts, the Raiders will play two more games before a Week 8 bye. 

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Raiders TE depth chart

* — Out vs. Colts

Michael Mayer is the Raiders' No. 2 tight end, but he was also ruled out for Sunday's game as he continues to recover from a concussion. That leaves Ian Thomas, Carter Runyon and Albert Okwuegbunam, who was promoted from the practice squad, as Las Vegas' only healthy tight ends.

Thomas has 55 career starts and 1,062 yards over eight NFL seasons, seven of which came with the Panthers, but he hasn't recorded a catch in 2025 and hasn't had more than nine catches in a season since 2022. Runyon does not have an NFL reception, while Okwuegbunam started seven games for the Broncos but hasn't recorded a catch since 2022. 

Raiders upcoming schedule

The Raiders host the Titans and go on the road to take on the Chiefs before their Week 8 bye.