Raiders Get Major Update on TE Brock Bowers Ahead of Colts Game
Just hours before they were set to kick off their Week 5 game in Indianapolis against the Colts, the Las Vegas Raiders received some bad injury news on their star second-year TE
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Bowers is dealing with a PCL injury and bone bruise to his knee. Both injuries were suffered in Week 1 against the Patriots
That may be changing, however. Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reported that Bowers is unlikely to play today against the Colts. Pelissero, alongside insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, said that despite Las Vegas head coach Pete Carroll saying on Friday that Bowers would probably play, plans have since changed.
Bowers was officially listed on the Raiders inactive report prior to the Colts game. Schefter posted on X, “Raiders TE Brock Bowers officially is inactive today due to the PCL injury and bone bruise on his knee. The
The Raiders Will Also Be Without Another Key Playmaker on Sunday
Fellow tight end Michael Mayer is also inactive Sunday, along with cornerback Eric Stokes, linebacker Germaine Pratt, guard Caleb Rogers and defensive lineman Leki Fotu.
Mayer has been battling a concussion, while Stokes has a knee injury. Rogers, Pratt and Fotu are healthy scratches. The short-handed
On the other side of the field, the Colts will be without wide receiver Alec Pierce, running back
The Raiders gave Bowers the day off of practice on both Thursday and Friday in the hopes that he would be able to go on Sunday. However, recovery progress has been slower than they wanted, and he’s set to miss the
The Injury to Las Vegas Raiders TE Brock Bowers Has Been Impacting His Performance
Chris Unger/GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 28: Brock Bowers #89 of the Las Vegas Raiders
The No. 12 overall pick in 2024, Bowers wowed
He hasn’t been the same this year, however, and it’s likely due to his knee injuries. Since that Week 1 game where he suffered his injuries, Bowers hasn’t topped 50 receiving yards, and he has yet to score on the year. He’s one of the most dynamic receiving threats at the tight end position in the entire league, and he’s clearly hampered at the moment.
With Bowers out, the Raiders would typically turn to 2023 second-round pick TE Michael Mayer. However, Mayer is dealing with concussion symptoms and is officially listed as questionable against the
The Las Vegas Raiders Need to Find Some Wins Somewhere
The Colts have one of the most efficient offenses in the
The Raiders are 1-3 to start Carroll’s tenure. The longtime Seahawks coach joined the
Raiders linebacker reveals key to containing Colts star Jonathan Taylor
The Las Vegas Raiders were expected to have one of the worst defenses in the entire NFL this season. While they rank just 22nd in scoring defense and 21st in total yards allowed, aside from a Week 3 letdown, the unit has been stellar, allowing just 19.3 points and 308 yards per game in their other three matchups.
The run defense has been a big part of the strong performance, as the unit ranks 13th in total yards allowed for the season. Outside of the aforementioned matchup with the Washington Commanders, the unit has allowed 60, 81 and 69 rushing yards, showing the potential to be elite in that facet.
They will have their toughest test of the young season on Sunday as they face Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts. Raiders veteran linebacker Elandon Roberts revealed the key to containing the superstar running back.
Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts shares plan to contain Colts star Jonathan Taylor
Taylor has been elite this season as he leads the league with 414 rushing yards, while adding three touchdowns, on 77 carries. He has also contributed in the passing game, as he has recorded 113 receiving yards and one touchdown on 13 receptions.
The Raiders will have their hands full as they look to contain the two-time Pro Bowler. Speaking to Paul Gutierrez on the Upon Further Review podcast, Roberts discussed the plan to contain Taylor.
"He's a great back. I think he's been very productive since he hit the NFL, and it's going to be a task. Obviously, when it comes to the play-action game and stuff like that, you just have to read your keys and whatnot because, to be honest, it's just a part of it. That's the good thing about having an elite running back, how they do, because it's going to pull backers up regardless and whatnot. And you just have to really stay within yourself, reading it outright, watching a lot of film because if you get bit, you have to know what plays they like to do out these formations, what plays they like to do off that certain run fake and whatnot," Roberts said. "You need to know what plays come off a playaction or what plays come off a boot because, at least, if you do get caught up in the playaction or in the boot, you know how to get out of it and you know what plays can be coming behind you."
Taylor is coming off his worst game, production-wise, this season. After averaging 166.5 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns over the previous two games, he finished with just 96 all-purpose yards and no scores in Week 4.
The Raiders' defense will have its hands full against a Colts offense that ranks fourth in scoring offense and third in total yards. If they are able to contain Taylor, however, their chances of improving to 2-3 will significantly increase.
