Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) has been ruled out for the second straight week and will miss Sunday’s Week 6 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Without Bowers, the Raiders’ passing game takes a hit, which they have done so since he injured his knee in Week 1. Although the second-year tight end played after that with a brace, it was clear he wasn’t the same player.
Now that Bowers is out for a second straight week, former Raiders offensive lineman Lincoln Kennedy outlined what the game plan should be against the Titans as he made a surprising admission.
“I still think you can open it up [the passing game],” Kennedy said on the latest episode of “The Silver and Black Show.” “You’ve got other playmakers who can [find a way to] get the football. But I think at this particular point, because they’re struggling in all three phases, it’s a coaching point where you go back to the basics. Let’s get back to what makes us work on all phases of the ball — offense, defense, and special teams — and [focus on executing] from there.
“The Raiders are going up this weekend against the Tennessee Titans. I wouldn’t necessarily call them a great team, but the Raiders have had their fair share of struggles too. I’m sure Tennessee is probably saying the same thing about Las Vegas. They’ve just got to get back to basics, put some confidence out there by winning football games, scoring touchdowns, and taking it one game at a time — [starting with] this weekend.”
How Will the Raiders Replace Brock Bowers?
The reason for the decision on Bowers is because he hasn’t taken part in practice this week, with coach Pete Carroll noting the All-Pro receiver is “not quite there yet.” Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly added that Bowers’ absence “changes everybody’s job.”
“You lose the premier tight end in the NFL, and play calling is different,” Kelly said (h/t Ryan McFadden of ESPN). “…You have to be able to make adjustments when you lose players like that, and you’ve got to move on, because no one’s feeling sorry for you when you have a guy down.
“So, that’s just the nature of the game, and we’re hopeful we’ll get Brock back soon here. He’s working his tail off to get back in the rehab process, so we’ll see how that goes.”
Raiders Get Good News at the Tight End Position
Even with Bowers sidelined again, the Raiders are set to have tight end Michael Mayer back in action against the Titans, per ESPN. Mayer cleared concussion protocol and fully participated in practice this week after missing the past two games.
Mayer suffered a concussion in Week 3 during the loss to the Washington Commanders. The injury occurred when he took a hit to the head while tackling wide receiver Jaylin Lane on a 25-yard punt return, leaving him in the fencing position.
The second-round pick in 2023 said he’s “ecstatic” to be back on the field and has been practicing as if he will start at tight end. This season, Mayer has recorded six catches for 47 yards.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Raiders Get Blunt Words After Brock Bowers Injury Announcement appeared first on Heavy Sports.