(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Raiders couldn’t get a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, so they took the second-best thing.
Brock Bowers enters the league as one of the most polished and promising tight ends in recent history — perhaps ever.
Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to practice since last week, as he’s been dealing with a foot injury.
Notably, it’s not expected to be serious, and it should be just a matter of time before we get to watch him on the field.
Recently, HC Antonio Pierce revealed that he fully expected Bowers to be ready to play in Week 1; he just wants to make sure he’s safe and sound until then (via The Coachspeak Index).
#Raiders HC Antonio Pierce on whether he expects Brock Bowers (foot) to play Week 1:
“Yeah, just precautionary. Got a foot injury and we just want to protect him.”
Pierce has a 60% reliability rating on injury coachspeak (small sample size) pic.twitter.com/KEqLkYGUlC
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) August 22, 2024
Bowers made his unofficial NFL debut in the preseason opener vs. the Minnesota Vikings.
He caught two passes in as many targets for 25 yards, one of which came out of the fullback position.
Bowers still needs to improve as a blocker, but most of it depends on whether he actually wants to block or not, as he has the physical traits and instincts to do so; he just wasn’t asked to do it.
Despite missing three games in 2023, he still managed to haul in 56 receptions for 714 yards and six touchdowns in his final season in college.
The Raiders still need to figure plenty of things out on offense, but one thing’s for sure: He’s going to be a main part of what they do.
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