The Las Vegas Raiders have not had Brock Bowers suit up for them since Week 4, but that appears poised to change this week.
According to coach Pete Carroll, the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is full strength and is expected to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.
Bowers (knee) has not played since the Raiders’ loss to the Chicago Bears on Sept. 28 but has been a full participant in their practice Wednesday. But Bowers is still third on the Raiders in receptions (19) and receiving yards (225).
In two years, Bowers has 131 receptions for 1,1419 yards and five touchdowns for the Raiders. But even though he has not scored a touchdown this year, Bowers’ return should have a profound impact on Las Vegas’ 30th-ranked offense.
The Raiders (2-5) have lost five of their past six games, most recently a 31-0 blasting at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 19. But Las Vegas is coming off its bye, which also sped up Bowers’ return window.
Brock Bowers Is ‘Back’ According To Coach Pete Carroll
The Raiders are 1-2 without Bowers, with only a win over the lowly Tennessee Titans keeping them from a six-game losing streak. But Las Vegas averaged less than nine points per game without the tight end and were outscored 71-6 in its losses to the Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts in its two losses.
But the Raiders should also be ecstatic to have Bowers back as well, since they don’t have a potent offense to begin with. The Raiders rank 31st in the NFL in points per game — and were only averaging 19.3 points per game before Bowers went out. But the team’s offense, especially its passing offense, of course is much better with Bowers.
So with the Raiders in last place in the AFC West — and the only team in that division with a negative point differential — they could use an offensive weapon for quarterback Geno Smith.
Smith averaged just 156 passing yards per game and only threw one touchdown, while throwing three interceptions, during Bowers’ absence. Plus, the Raiders only put up 617 total yards — an average of just 205 per game — in their three games without him.
So with that in mind, it’s no surprise that coach Pete Carroll is ecstatic to have the All-Pro tight end back this weekend.
“He’s back,” Carroll said. “Last week, he looked good every day, particularly good on the Monday practice, and he kind of stole the show a little bit. So, we’re thrilled to have him back.”
Brock Bowers, Excited To Return To Field In Week 9
That Bowers finally made it back on the practice field was a huge development for him too, since even though his knee is not completely healed, he would rather be on the field than watching from the sidelines.
“The first part of the season was tough [and] not feeling 100 percent, but I’m closer now,” Bowers told the Associated Press. “It sucked, to be honest, but it’s in the past. I’m excited to get back out there.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Raiders HC Pete Carroll Sends Strong Message on Brock Bowers Before Jaguars Game appeared first on Heavy Sports.