Is Brock Bowers playing today? Latest injury update on Raiders star for Week 2

Mike Moraitis

Is Brock Bowers playing today? Latest injury update on Raiders star for Week 2 image

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

After playing in all 17 games last season, Las Vegas Raiders star tight end Brock Bowers is in danger of not suiting up in the Week 2 game versus the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night.

Bowers came down with a knee issue in the Week 1 win over the New England Patriots that led to his early exit from the contest.

At practice this week, Bowers didn't take part on Thursday or Friday, which led to growing concerns he wouldn't suit up. However, Bowers offered some hope on Saturday by logging a limited practice and getting the questionable tag.

Both Bowers and Raiders head coach Pete Carroll addressed his status on Saturday and there is plenty of optimism that the Georgia product suits up.

Here's the latest.

Is Brock Bowers playing today?

UPDATE: Bowers is officially active and ready to roll for Week 2.

END OF UPDATE

UPDATE: In what is a good sign for Bowers' availability, the Raiders did not elevate a tight end from their practice squad.

Seeing as how they only have two others on the 53-man roster aside from Bowers, the Raiders almost certainly would have elevated one from the practice squad if there was any doubt about the star tight end playing on Monday night.

END OF UPDATE

According to Carroll, Bowers "looked terrific" during his limited session on Saturday and he expects the star tight end to suit up against the Chargers.

“Yeah. He looked terrific today,” Carroll said when asked if he expects Bowers to play.

Bowers opted to take a wait-and-see approach.

"I don't know, it's hard to say," Bowers said. "I'm just going to keep working out and see how I feel the rest of the day, tomorrow and the next day. So, we'll see."

Bowers added that he "felt fine" while practicing, and did so using a knee brace, which he might have to use in the game.

“It’s not ideal,” Bowers said. “Rather not have to wear it. But whatever they want me to do, I’ll do. If it comes down to me playing or not, I’ll wear it.”

At this point, it would be surprising if Bowers doesn't suit up given Carroll's comment on the former No. 13 overall pick. Even still, keep an eye out for the inactives an hour and a half ahead of the 10 p.m. ET kickoff on Monday night.

If Bowers is ruled inactive, Michael Mayer will step into the TE1 role for Las Vegas, so that's something for fantasy managers to keep in mind. Ian Thomas would also get some run if Bowers is forced to sit.

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Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis is a freelance writer who covers the NFL for the Sporting News. Over his nearly two decades covering sports, Mike has also worked for Bleacher Report, USA TODAY and FanSided. He hates writing in the third person.