Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers could make his season debut Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, adding the offense’s top target to a group that has started 2-0 without him. His return would give running back Ashton Jeanty more room to operate while forcing defenses to account for another matchup problem in the middle of the field.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Bowers is trending toward playing in New Orleans, and Locked On Raiders host Q Myers said head coach Klint Kubiak expected the tight end to practice Wednesday. That practice participation would be a meaningful step after Bowers missed the first two games, though the Raiders still have time before deciding whether to activate him for Sunday.
Bowers’ return would present Kubiak with a productive problem. The offense has spread opportunities among tight end Michael Mayer, wide receiver Tre Tucker, and Jeanty rather than leaning on one player. Q said Bowers will naturally demand targets, but he also viewed Kubiak’s ability to feature different players from week to week as a reason the offense can incorporate its top receiving threat without becoming predictable.
Bowers could open up more for Jeanty, running game
The most immediate effect could come in the running game. Jeanty was held to 48 yards on 21 carries against the Los Angeles Chargers, and Q argued that Bowers’ presence can discourage defenses from crowding the line of scrimmage.
If opponents devote extra attention to Bowers, Jeanty could find cleaner looks than he saw in the Week 2 win.
The Raiders do not need to force Bowers onto the field simply because they have won their first two games. But a full practice week would give Kubiak a chance to reintroduce him in the role that made him the focal point of the offense in training camp. Wednesday’s participation report and the club’s game-status decision will determine whether that plan begins against New Orleans or waits for the following week.
