Raiders Star Tight End Listed As Limited In Practice

The up-and-down health issues of Brock Bowers continued this week, with the Las Vegas Raiders tight end listed as limited in Wednesday’s practice, per a report from Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. 

Bowers had a meniscus trim  that kept him out the first two weeks, but he’s been healthy for the last two games, with 16 catches for 202 yards and two touchdowns in two games. The Raiders also practiced without wide receiver Jalen Nailor (concussion).

The rest of the injury report included offensive guard Spencer Burford (knee), defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi (shoulder), offensive guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (groin), wide receiver Cody White (ankle) and offensive guard Trey Zuhn (knee), all of whom were limited. 

Powers-Johnson missed the Week 4 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, and he would be a welcome addition given the recent struggles of the running game. 

The Raiders could also be getting help at receiver, as the team has opened a 21-day practice window for Dont’e Thornton. Thornton was placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring issue early in training camp, but Simmons’ report also included material from  Ryan McFadden of ESPN that had the receiver confident that he’s ready to play.

The opponent for Week 5 on Sunday will be the New England Patriots, who are also looking at some key injuries, according to Josh Alper of PFT. 

Running back Rhamondre Stevenson and wide receiver Mack Hollins are expected to sit out the team’s first on-field work of Week 5, according to coach Mike Vrabel. Both players sustained their injuries during New England’s win over the Buffalo Bills last wee, and Vrabel added that cornerback Christian Gonzalez will remain out of practice as he continues to deal with a shoulder injury. 

The Raider beat New England last year in the Patriots’ home opener, which was one of the few successful efforts Las Vegas had last year. This season is already a different story, as the Raiders have already equaled their win total for all of last year. 

The Patriots, meanwhile, are a bit of a puzzle. They’re 2-2, and they got a much-needed bounceback win over the Buffalo Bills on the road last Sunday. This will be one of the more intriguing matchups of Week 5, with the Raiders once again trying to prove they’re for real after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pats trying to keep pace with Buffalo.