Brock Bowers ‘not expected to play’ against Chiefs in Week 7

The Las Vegas Raiders beat the Tennessee Titans in Week 6, snapping a four-game losing streak. Las Vegas managed to defeat the 1-5 Titans with Brock Bowers is sidelined with a knee injury. But the Raiders could have a tougher time against the Kansas City Chiefs without their All-Pro tight end.

Bowers returned to limited practice Friday and it’s official listed as suspicious for Week 7. However, the other pro is not expected to play, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. With the Raiders coming off a bye in Week 8, the team will likely match Bowers with the Chiefs and plan to return to action in Week 9.

Bowers suffered a sprained PCL and deep bruise in his left knee during the Raiders’ season-opening win against the New England Patriots. The 22-year-old Pro Bowler played through an injury in the next three games. But showing no improvement, Bowers was finally kicked out in week five. It was the first game he missed in his young NFL career.

Brock Bowers will miss his third straight game with a knee injury

If the Raiders decide to hold Bowers out until the bye, it will give his ailing knee four weeks to heal. While Bowers initially resisted resting, doctors said rest was the only way he could recover from his injuries.

Head coach Pete Carroll believes the Raiders can turn the season around. But he also has to consider the long-term health of the franchise player. Especially when that player is resistant to medical advice.

Bowers is coming off a historic rookie season. The former first-round draft pick broke Puka Nacua’s all-time rookie receptions record (112) and Mike Ditka’s rookie receptions record (1,194 yards). Ditka’s score of 1,076 lasted 63 years.

The Raiders were hoping to build on Bowers’ phenomenal first year. Las Vegas selected running back Ashton Ginty in the first round of the 2025 draft. The team then paired Carroll with his former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.

However, the team had problems at the beginning of the season. After winning the season opener, the Raiders have dropped four straight games. Smith turns the ball over at an alarming rate. And it could be tough for Las Vegas to bounce back from a 2-4 start in the highly competitive NFC West.

Las Vegas hosts the Chiefs in a divisional clash on Sunday. The Raiders could be without their top two pass catchers as Jacoby Meyers is questionable for Week 7.