Brock Bowers is expected to make his 2026 season debut Sunday against the Saints after missing the Raiders' first two games following knee surgery.
The Las Vegas Raiders appear ready to get one of their biggest offensive weapons back.
Star tight end Brock Bowers is expected to make his season debut Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, barring a surprise, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Bowers has missed the Raiders' first two games after undergoing a procedure to trim the meniscus in his left knee on Sept. 8.
The 23-year-old returned to practice last week but was ultimately held out of Las Vegas' 26-14 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Bowers returned to practice again Wednesday as he worked toward a possible Week 3 debut and was a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday.
He did not practice Friday, but Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said the absence was planned. Las Vegas officially listed Bowers as questionable for Sunday's game.
Fowler reported Sunday morning that Bowers is now expected to play, barring a surprise. The Raiders also did not elevate another tight end from the practice squad for the game after doing so during Bowers' absence.
Getting Bowers back would give the Raiders another major weapon after opening the season 2-0.
Michael Mayer has handled the biggest role at tight end without Bowers, catching nine passes for 55 yards through the first two games.
But Bowers has established himself as one of the NFL's most productive tight ends during his first two seasons.
He has 176 catches for 1,874 yards and 12 touchdowns in 29 career games. Bowers caught 64 passes for 680 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games last season after setting an NFL rookie record with 112 receptions and the rookie tight end record with 1,194 receiving yards in 2024.
His return would also give quarterback Kirk Cousins another option alongside a Raiders receiving corps that has already received a breakout performance from Tre Tucker.
Bowers' status won't become official until the Raiders release their inactive list before kickoff. Still, Sunday's report is the strongest indication yet that the star tight end will make his 2026 debut against New Orleans.
