Brock Bowers expected to return to Raiders lineup in Week 3, per NFL insider
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Brock Bowers could be on the verge of making his long-awaited season debut.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ star tight end hasn’t played since Week 16 of the 2025 season after he was shut down due to a knee injury. He suffered a setback in preseason when he required a meniscus trim after a minor training camp injury.
Now, though, Bowers could be in line for a return in Week 3 when the 2-0 Raiders visit the New Orleans Saints, per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
“Brock Bowers, yes, he is a tight end. But he’s really receiver one,” Rapoport said on NFL Network on Tuesday. “How much more dynamic can this Las Vegas Raiders offense be with one of the best players in the NFL, regardless of position? A nightmare for defenses, a handful for (Saints defensive coordinator) Brandon Staley. Expect Brock Bowers back on Sunday.”
While Bowers has been out, the Raiders have leaned on Michael Mayer, who signed a contract extension in the offseason. The fourth-year player from Notre Dame made 35 catches for 328 yards in 2025. Through two weeks of the 2026 campaign, he has nine catches for 55 yards.
“They really have two standout tight ends. Mayer has been good (but) obviously, you would love to have Bowers back,” Rapoport said.
Kickoff from Caesars Superdome on Sunday is set for 4:25 p.m. ET.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
