Las Vegas Raiders’ initial injury report for their matchup vs. the Tennessee Titans has both great and bad news
The Las Vegas Raiders got some news regarding both Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer.
The Las Vegas Raiders have been without Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, their two best tight ends. They were without them against the Indianapolis Colts, and hope to get them back for their game against the Tennessee Titans.
“You’re probably asking about some of our guys here who are coming back,” head coach Pete Carroll said. “Eric Stokes is going to be practicing today, which we’re fired up about. Michael Mayer will be out there today to get him back. Brock [Bowers] – we’re still kind of day-to-day as we’re going along this one, trying to make sure that he’s ready to come back and stay back. AJ [Cole] is not going to kick today, but he’s planning on kicking on Friday, and we’ll see how that goes. So, we’ll report back on that.
“Yes, absolutely cleared. It took a long time. It was a long haul for Mike [Michael Mayer], but he’s back and ready to go… Yeah, it’s crucially important for us, particularly because he’s in such a critical position that he plays, and he’s really good at it, and we need him.”
Raiders need Mayer and Bowers to have more success on offense
Raiders’ offensive rankings in 2025 through Week 5
- 18th in Yards Per Game at 322.8
- 16th in Passing Yards Per Game at 210.2
- 20th in Rushing Yards Per Game at 112.6
- 30th in Points Per Game at 16.6
This is one of the worst offenses in the entire league, and while Mayer and Bowers’ absences and injuries are not the sole reason the offense is bad, they are among the reasons. The play-calling hasn’t been that bad. In the Raiders’ case, it’s mostly execution, penalties, self-inflicted wounds, and turning the ball over. When you turn the ball over like the Raiders have, it’s nearly impossible to win. Las Vegas has the second-worst turnover differential in the league at -6.
Getting Mayer and Bowers back would not only help the pass game but also the run game. Bowers was the best tight end in football last season and a decent blocker — not great. When it comes to the passing game, he can do it all, whether it’s the short game, intermediate, or even the deep ball.
Mayer is good in the passing game, too, but mostly in the short game, and then those contested jump balls. He is pretty much the group’s possession guy. Where he stands out is his pass blocking and run blocking. Getting those two back helps the offense in those areas and adds more variety to what it can call.
You’re naturally going to call more 12 personnel, or two tight end plays, when those two are available, than you will with Ian Thomas and Albert Okwuegbunam. The Raiders’ top tight ends being out are not the reason the offense is bad; there are so many other things, but they will help get it to where it needs to be if they can both play on Sunday.
But also, the only way Bowers‘s knee bone bruise will get any better is by resting. So, if that’s needed, he should still do that, as he’s the future of this team.
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