Raiders’ Brock Bowers Expected To Play In Week 2

by Arop KualSeptember 15, 2026, 5:05 pm >

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is expected to make his season debut within the next two weeks.

Ahead of the season opener against the Miami Dolphins, the Raiders announced that Bowers will not play due to an urgent knee operation.

Bowers underwent a meniscus trim Tuesday, and sources initially told ESPN that Bowers was expected to miss “a game or two.” The Raiders officially ruled Bowers out for Sunday’s season opener against the Miami Dolphins.

The Raiders will monitor how Bowers feels this week before deciding whether he will return for their Week 2 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

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Bowers spent most of last season injured before landing on IR for the final two weeks. Bowers sustained a PCL injury and bone bruise in his left knee in Week 1 last season before being sidelined for 4 games in October.

After having an injury-riddled season, Cincinnati Bengals legend Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson isn’t concerned about Bowers long-term availability.

On his Nightcap podcast, Johnson said, “I’m really not that worried because it’s a little trim of the meniscus. It’s like getting a haircut. Now you only miss two games, and honestly, he might only miss one.”

“With time and the way technology is so advanced right now, he might recover a little faster than normal,” Johnson added. “I’m a little wary, but not too worried, though, and he is young. When you’re young like that, boy, you heal like Wolverine.”

Bowers played in 12 games last season, recording 64 receptions, 680 yards and seven touchdowns.

Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak told reporters that Bowers is “working his tail off to get back out on the field,” and that it’s “really important to him to play as soon as possible.”

“We’re gonna be smart with him,” Kubiak said, “but if he’s ready to play, he’s gonna play.”

If Bowers is to return in the upcoming weeks, he will travel with the team to face off against the Chargers in Week 2 and the New Orleans Saints in Week 3.