Ahead of the 2026 season, Raiders TE Brock Bowers underwent a surprise meniscus trim and was initially tabbed for missing “a game or two.” After missing two weeks due to the knee injury, Bowers' potential return date of Week 3 has arrived.
The Raiders head to New Orleans on Sunday, September 27, featuring a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff on CBS. Despite the significant absence of Bowers, Las Vegas is off to a strong 2-0 start, and getting its superstar tight end back would bring a significant boost to the offense.
Below, we’ll look at the latest Brock Bowers injury update and if he will play in Week 3, including how it shifts picks for PrizePicks.
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Brock Bowers Injury Update: Will Bowers Play in Week 3?
Ahead of Week 2’s 26-14 win over the Chargers, Brock Bowers made significant progress toward a return. He was not a participant at Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices but was a limited participant on Friday. Following Week 1’s game status of out, Bowers was upgraded to doubtful in Week 2.
More good news arrived on Tuesday, with Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network reporting there’s a “good chance” Bowers returns in Week 3. Furthermore, head coach Klint Kubiak said Bowers is expected to practice this week leading up to Sunday’s matchup with the Saints.
In 2024, Bowers set the record for the most receiving yards (1,194) by a rookie tight end in a single season, paired with the most catches (112) by any rookie in one season. After earning 2024 First-Team All-Pro honors, Bowers was immediately one of the league’s most dangerous targets.
He missed four games due to knee injuries last season but still managed to record 64 catches for 680 receiving yards and 7 receiving TDs. Furthermore, Bowers’ 14.7 fantasy points per game (FPPG) in PPR leagues tied as the second-best mark among tight ends.
Las Vegas could be returning one of the best offensive players in football this week. How would Bowers’ return impact fantasy football and the Raiders?
Brock Bowers Fantasy Football Outlook, Impact on Raiders
The Raiders are off to a terrific start, with 27-13 and 26-14 wins over the Dolphins and Chargers.
According to RBSDM, the defense has thrived with -0.275 EPA per play (first) and a 34.4% success rate (first) allowed. The offense has logged 26.5 PPG (10th), but the efficiency lacks at -0.062 EPA per play (22nd) and a 39.2% success rate (25th).
Enter Brock Bowers, who generated a 23.6% target share (second) and 1.70 yards per route run (fifth) last season, per Sumer Sports. According to Pro Football Focus, Bowers had a 47.6% slot snap rate in 2025, showcasing his versatility.
Keep in mind head coach Klint Kubiak helped generate a ton of looks for WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba by moving him around the field as the Seahawks’ offense coordinator last year.
Backed by Bowers’ 20th overall and TE1 average draft position (ADP) for fantasy football, via FantasyPros, expectations are sky-high in Las Vegas. Bowers should step into a massive role as the offense’s top target, though limited snaps could be ahead if he returns from injury in Week 3.
Raiders QB Kirk Cousins is averaging 8.8 air yards per passing attempt (13th), and Las Vegas’ offensive line has a league-best 63% pass block win rate, per ESPN. Plenty of downfield targets could be ahead for Bowers — especially against a Saints defense that’s allowed a 47.5% dropback success rate (21st).
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Brock Bowers is trending toward his 2026 debut in Week 3. Keep an eye on the Raiders’ injury report for his practice status leading up to Sunday’s game. For now, Bowers seems in line to play in Week 3, and a massive role should await him.
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