Fantasy Football News

ESPN's Dan Graziano confirms that Raiders TE Brock Bowers (knee) is likely to make his 2026 debut vs. the Saints this weekend. More importantly, Graziano doesn't expect "too many limitations" on Bowers' snaps in that game. "This honestly seems like a situation where the team wanted to be 100% certain about Bowers' health before they put him on the field, and it sounded like they were getting pretty close to that level of certainty even heading into last week's game," Graziano writes. We probably won't be getting a completely 100% Bowers on Sunday, but he'll be close enough to be a strong fantasy starter.

Raiders TE Brock Bowers (knee) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Chargers. He returned to a limited practice on Friday, so we’re tentatively expecting Bowers to play Week 3. His absence today makes TE Michael Mayer a solid fantasy start.

Raiders TE Brock Bowers (knee) is listed as doubtful for this weekend's game vs. the Chargers. He did return to practice on Friday and is expected back for Week 3, HC Klint Kubiak said. Michael Mayer gets one more game as lead TE and viable fantasy starter on Sunday.

Raiders TE Brock Bowers (knee) remained sidelined for Thursday's practice. We've been expecting him to miss this weekend's game vs. the Chargers, and he continues to trend in that direction. We'll see if Bowers is able to get on the field tomorrow, but he should be on fantasy benches for now.

Raiders TE Brock Bowers (knee) won't practice on Wednesday, HC Klint Kubiak said. Both Kubiak and the national media have suggested that Bowers has a chance to return for this weekend's game vs. the Chargers, but we're not expecting it. Bowers managers should have another option ready to go for Week 2 lineups. His absence would again make Michael Mayer a viable TE1.

Raiders HC Klint Kubiak called TE Brock Bowers "day to day," just 6 days after he had his meniscus trimmed. Kubiak said the team will be smart with Bowers, but that, "If he's ready, he's gonna play." Added Kubiak, "He's working his tail off to get back out on the field. It's really important to him to play as soon as possible, and that doesn't surprise me about Brock." This jibes with ESPN's Adam Schefter's Sunday morning report that Bowers has a "realistic chance" to play vs. the Chargers in Week 2. That'd be a quick turnaround from meniscus surgery, and Bowers owners should still have other plans lined up for Week 2. But we'll keep you updated on his progress this week.

Raiders TE Michael Mayer posted 6 catches for 32 yards in a Week 1 win over Miami. Filling in for Brock Bowers, Mayer led the team with a 20% target share.

The Raiders believe there's a "realistic chance" TE Brock Bowers plays vs. the Chargers next week, a source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter. "Team will see how he’s feeling this week, but a potential return next week is within the realm of possibility," Schefter adds. The initial reporting on Bowers had him expected to miss 1-2 games, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said Friday that Bowers would "probably" miss Week 2. Meniscus trims generally cost players 3+ weeks, so we remain skeptical that Bowers will make it back for Week 2. But we'll keep you updated on his progress this coming week.

The Raiders and TE Michael Mayer agreed to a three-year, $45 million extension with $30 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The deal makes Mayer the sixth-highest-paid TE in average annual salary, just ahead of recent deals signed by Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews. Mayer is now signed with the Raiders through the 2029 season.

After his meniscus surgery, the original report had Raiders TE Brock Bowers missing 1-2 weeks, but a one-week absence now looks unlikely. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said Thursday morning that Bowers will "probably" miss Week 2, while ESPN's Adam Schefter said the 1-2 week timetable came from "people around" Bowers, suggesting that timeline is optimistic.

Raiders TE Brock Bowers is expected to miss "a game or two" after having his meniscus trimmed on Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Bowers got banged up “a little in camp” and the injury was diagnosed last week, Schefter adds.

Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza was sharp in his preseason debut vs. the Cardinals on Thursday night, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards, 1 TD, and 0 INTs. But QB Kirk Cousins got the start and is still the favorite to open the regular season as Vegas' starter, HC Klint Kubiak confirmed after the game.

ESPN’s Ryan McFadden writes that “Brock Bowers' connection has looked strong” with QB Kirk Cousins. HC Klint Kubiak named Cousins his starter heading into training camp.

According to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden, Brock Bowers is fully healthy and set up for a potential career year. He impressed everyone from new QB Kirk Cousins to HC Klint Kubiak during OTAs, with his health and talent on full display. Cousins even compared Bowers to Jordan Reed in Washington, whom he called “arguably their best eligible player there.” Reed led the league in PPR points per game in 2015 (17.6).