The Raiders are officially shutting down rookie tight end Brock Bowers for the season, placing him on injured reserve as he deals with a lingering knee issue he’s been managing throughout the year. With Las Vegas already out of playoff contention, the move gives Bowers the chance to get fully healthy heading into 2026-a smart long-term play for a franchise that’s clearly looking ahead.
Safety Jeremy Chinn is also being placed on IR, further thinning out a roster that’s been hit with injuries and inconsistency as the season winds down. And with a loss to the Giants this weekend, the Raiders could be staring at the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
As for Bowers, his rookie campaign showed flashes of the dynamic playmaker he was at Georgia. Despite battling through the knee issue, he still suited up for 12 games and put together a solid stat line: 64 receptions on 86 targets, 680 yards, and seven touchdowns. That’s a strong debut for any tight end, let alone a first-year player adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL.
Bowers came into the league with serious pedigree. A three-year starter for the Bulldogs, he became the first player to win the John Mackey Award-given to college football’s top tight end-in back-to-back seasons (2022 and 2023).
He was a unanimous All-American in 2023, a first-teamer in 2022, and a second-team selection in 2021. Throw in three consecutive first-team All-SEC honors, and it’s easy to see why the Raiders made him the No. 13 overall pick in the 2024 draft.
Las Vegas signed him to a four-year, $17.77 million rookie deal, including a hefty $9.74 million signing bonus. The contract includes a fifth-year option for 2028, giving the Raiders some flexibility as they build around their young core.
At just 23 years old, Bowers has already shown he can be a reliable weapon in the passing game-tough over the middle, smooth after the catch, and a red-zone threat. The Raiders didn’t draft him just to be a complementary piece; they see him as a foundational part of their offense moving forward.
Now, with the season all but over, the focus shifts to the future. Getting Bowers healthy is priority one. If he comes back at full strength in 2026, paired with a top draft pick and a clearer direction under center, the Raiders could be laying the groundwork for a much-needed turnaround.