Star tight end Brock Bowers returned to practice on Friday, the first time he’s been on the field since October 1. In what was a bright spot to his costly absence, the rookie tight end only missed two weeks. He was still on the mend from a posterior cruciate ligament tear and a left knee bone bruise. This injury was suffered in the Raiders’ season-opening victory against the New England Patriots.
Bowers has returned to practice to rejoin his teammates. As for playing in Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he’s not so sure. Head Coach Pete Carroll said after Wednesday’s practice, describing Bowers’ week of prep, “His practices have been phenomenal. I saw him when he was running with the trainers, and he’s coming along pretty good. So, we’re really close on him.”
Bowers isn’t the only one having a rough time. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers had a tough go at it as a limited participant in practice, working through knee and toe injuries. Meyers has been a significant contributor to the Raiders this season, amassing 29 catches for 329 yards over six games. Yet his game has fallen off in the past month. In those last three games, Meyers didn’t fare well, averaging just 33.7 yards per contest. It’s a marketing shift that is especially jarring considering his notable average of 76 yards per game through the first three weeks of the season.
Carroll remarked on Meyers’ situation, stating, “Jakobi got more than Brock did. [Meyers] bounced back pretty well, so we’re very hopeful that he’ll be available.” During that same stretch, from Weeks 2 to 4, Meyers only managed to give you 14 catches for 122 yards—8.7 yards per catch. He has had difficulty sustaining that kind of productivity ever since.
Both players were full participants in Friday practice after sitting out on Wednesday and Thursday. The Raiders are getting ready for their big primetime showdown this week against the Chiefs. The Bowers and Meyers uncertainty makes their path to expected victory more complicated.
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