All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers is practicing again, giving the Las Vegas Raiders a major boost as they prepare for a Week 3 matchup with New Orleans.
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said Monday that Bowers will practice this week after working out on the field Sunday, though Kubiak confirmed Bowers “didn’t practice enough to play” in the win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Kubiak also gave updates on two other injured players: safety Treydan Stukes is now in the concussion protocol, and cornerback Darien Porter’s status will be evaluated Wednesday.
Inserting Brock Bowers into a 2-0 Raiders team…
Bowers’ absence matters more than most single-player injuries because of how the Raiders built their passing game around him. Even without him, the offense found answers Sunday. Cody White caught two touchdowns, while Kirk Cousins threw for three scores. On defense, rookie cornerback Hezekiah Masses stepped into Porter’s starting spot and intercepted Justin Herbert twice. Kubiak specifically pointed to that performance as an example of the team’s next-man-up depth.
That depth is about to be tested further.
If Stukes’ concussion protocol drags into game week and Porter isn’t cleared Wednesday, the Raiders could be down three key starters across two levels of the defense at once. That would put even more pressure on rookies like Masses and Jermod McCoy.
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From a cap perspective, none of this creates immediate financial pressure. Bowers, Stukes and Porter are all still on rookie or prior contracts. A lingering Bowers absence would, however, keep Michael Mayer as the primary in-line tight end. It would also put more receiving volume on Tucker, White and the running backs.
Kubiak was direct about his expectations. When asked whether Bowers wants to get back on the field, he said, “He better be itching.” Kubiak also noted that Bowers “worked his tail off” to reach this week’s practice window.
With Bowers back at practice, a limited or full return Sunday against New Orleans now feels far more likely than another missed game.
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