The NFL seemed to come easily to Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers last season. He immediately became an impact player and broke the rookie record for receptions (112).
For his efforts, he was named First-Team All-Pro. Things have not been nearly as easy for Bowers this year. He looked excellent through three quarters in Week 1, having caught five passes for 103 yards before a knee injury knocked him out of the game.
Since then, he clearly hasn’t been the same. He’s combined for 14 catches and 122 yards in the last three games. Those aren’t terrible numbers for an average tight end, but Bowers proved last year that he’s not average.
Bowers finally admitted that he is struggling with pain from the knee injury and is really frustrated that he can’t give 100% to his teammates right now.
“It’s painful, sore, just annoying [and] frustrating because I want to be back to full strength and going full speed, being able to separate from guys,” Bowers said, per ESPN. “I feel like I can’t really do that to the best of my abilities right now.”
The Raiders decided to give Bowers a couple of days off from practice this week, and head coach Pete Carroll is hoping that will help.
“We just want to make sure and slow it down a little bit and give him some extra rest. That’s really what we try to do,” Carroll said.
Colts HC Shane Steichen Praises Bowers
The Raiders don’t have a strong receiving corps, so they were expected to rely on Bowers a lot this season. Even with him hampered, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen knows that he can take over a game.
“I think he can do a lot of different things. … He’s explosive as a runner with the ball in his hands. Creates the explosive plays,” Steichen said, via Raiders.com. “He can run the whole route tree. Just a dynamic player that creates a lot of open space for that offense.”
The Raiders haven’t been getting him the ball much, and Carroll is hoping that changes quickly.
“We’re still trying to get the ball to him and use all of the great skills that he has. So, nothing’s changed in that regard,” Carroll said. “I think we’re going to see him better as he gets rid of that brace in a couple of weeks or whenever that happens.”
Raiders Will Need Big Ashton Jeanty Game
With the Raiders banged up and Bowers still not 100%, they’ll need another big game from rookie running back Ashton Jeanty if they hope to upset the Colts. Though he’s still a young player, he’s earned Steichen’s respect.
“Very talented player. Very strong at the point of contact. Doesn’t shy away from contact. Strong runner,” Steichen said.
Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is likely going to be hitting Jeanty quite a bit in Week 5, and he knows the young running back isn’t afraid of contact.
“Extreme talent. I don’t even know his stat on yards after contact but the kid, he gets it. He plays hard, plays through contact. He doesn’t shy away from contact,” Buckner said.
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