The Raiders spent Saturday telling the same story in two different ways: Brock Bowers is still a long shot, and Las Vegas is building its game-day plan accordingly.
That plan included elevating tight end Chris Myarick and wide receiver Cody White from the practice squad, a move the team announced as Bowers stayed doubtful for Sunday’s AFC West matchup with the Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Adam Schefter reported the same news on X, writing: “With TE Brock Bowers doubtful for Sunday, the Raiders have elevated TE Chris Myarick and WR Cody White from their practice squad.”
The Raiders then confirmed it themselves.
Bowers had a meniscus trim Sept. 8 in Dallas and missed the season opener. He also sat out Wednesday and Thursday practices, then got back on the field Friday for the first time since the procedure.
That work was limited, with a sleeve on his left knee, and he also went through a pre-practice stretch next to Maxx Crosby, who is returning from his own meniscus repair. Head coach Klint Kubiak said Bowers will go through a pregame workout before the staff makes a final decision.
Kubiak also said he likes Bowers’ chances of playing next week at New Orleans if he does not go Sunday. The league’s compiled Week 2 report still lists Bowers as doubtful with a knee issue, cornerback Darien Porter as out with a foot injury, and quarterback Aidan O’Connell as questionable for a personal matter.
That uncertainty is why Myarick is back on the 53-man roster for a second straight week. Standard practice-squad elevations only last one game, so he reverted after Week 1 and then got the call again Saturday. In the opener, he played eight snaps against Miami - five on offense and three on special teams - and did not show up in the receiving line.
If Bowers sits, Michael Mayer remains the main tight end in the passing game. He was the featured option at the position last Sunday, drawing seven targets from Kirk Cousins and catching six passes for 32 yards in the Raiders’ 27-13 win.
That production came underneath, not as a direct replacement for Bowers’ seam-stretching role. Ashton Jeanty supplied the big numbers with 102 rushing yards and two receiving touchdowns.
The Raiders also have Ian Thomas on the 53, but Myarick gives them another in-line blocker, the kind of insurance piece you use when you want to avoid leaving Mayer or Thomas exposed if injuries pop up midgame. White adds depth behind Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech and Malik Benson. He was targeted once in the opener and did not catch a pass.
Mayer’s place in the offense isn’t temporary, either. On Sept. 12, the Raiders announced a multi-year extension, and a league source told The Athletic the deal is worth $45 million with $30 million guaranteed. The team’s release did not include the financial terms.
Las Vegas enters the game 1-0. Los Angeles is 0-1 after its opener, and the Chargers list receiver Ladd McConkey as questionable with a rib injury. None of that changes the Raiders’ calculation: with Bowers still doubtful, Cousins is set up to lean on Mayer in the short game, Jeanty in the flat, and Myarick as extra protection if needed.
The message from Friday’s practice was pretty clear. Bowers is closer than he was a week ago, but not close enough for the Raiders to trust him in a division road game. The Saturday elevations made that even harder to ignore.
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