Raiders' Brock Bowers Expected to Play vs. Chargers amid Knee Injury Recovery

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers practiced for the first time this week on Saturday and is expected to play on Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers.

He's officially listed as questionable.

After leaving the Raiders' Week 1 win over the New England Patriots early due to a knee injury, Bowers did not practice on Thursday or Friday.

The 2024 Pro Bowler and First Team All-Pro appeared to be wearing a brace or sleeve on his knee while doing on-field work Saturday:

Bowers was a force for the Raiders in Week 1, catching five passes for 103 yards, but he left the game and did not return shortly after taking a shot to his knee at the end of a 38-yard catch and run late in the third quarter:

Per ESPN's Ryan McFadden, Bowers said Thursday that he wanted to re-enter the game against New England, but the Raiders' training staff did not allow him to.

Bowers also said he was "hoping to play" in Week 2 despite not practicing Thursday or Friday.

Selected 13th overall in the 2024 NFL draft out of Georgia, Bowers enjoyed a historic rookie season last year.

His 112 receptions were a rookie record for any position, while his 1,194 receiving yards were a rookie record among tight ends. Bowers also scored five touchdowns, helping him finish second in NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Bowers did all of that with mediocre quarterback play from the likes of Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell and Desmond Ridder.

This past offseason, the Raiders acquired two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Geno Smith in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, providing hope for an even bigger performance in Year 2.

If Bowers is not cleared to play against the Chargers, the Raiders will turn to Michael Mayer as their TE1 in Week 2.

Mayer, who was a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of Notre Dame, had four catches for 38 yards in Week 1.