The Las Vegas Raiders are 2-0 in the regular season, a fantastic start, but they’ve pulled it off without their absolute best pass-catcher, Brock Bowers. After missing the first two weeks, there’s been some serious buzz about him finally suiting up for Week 3. But hold up, because despite some positive signs, a Friday practice update just stirred up a whole new level of doubt.
The “Planned” Practice Absence That Still Leaves Everyone Hanging
So, here’s the kicker: Bowers didn’t participate in Friday’s practice. Normally, that’s a red flag, right? Like, a giant neon sign screaming “he’s out!” But according to Sam Warren of The Athletic, this DNP was actually part of the plan all along. Yeah, you heard that right: a planned absence. Bowers was never going to be out there on Friday. He even practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday and Thursday, which felt like movement in the right direction. It’s wild to think a planned absence could still create so much anxiety, but here we are. This was the final practice before the Week 3 matchup, and if this hadn’t been a pre-arranged day off, that DNP would be a clear signal he was going to be ruled out.
What This Means For The Raiders’ Offense Against The Saints
Here’s the thing, despite the “planned” nature of the DNP, Bowers is still officially questionable to play against the 1-1 New Orleans Saints this weekend. Klint Kubiak confirmed the DNP was part of the plan, but he also dropped the “questionable” bomb. His status is genuinely very much up in the air, and we might not know for sure until the Raiders announce their inactives on game day. You gotta feel for the fans, because even if he’s trending in the right direction, this planned DNP is literally “the one thing holding him back from being a near-lock to suit up Sunday.” If Bowers can’t go, Michael Mayer will once again step in as the starting tight end. The receiver room would be led by Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, and Jalen Nailor. This Week 3 game against the Saints should be a fun one, and getting Bowers back on the field would be a massive boost for their offense. But for now, that “questionable” tag means everyone’s just gotta wait it out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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