Henderson, Nevada – Las Vegas Raiders' nervous Brock Bowers had questions on Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a knee injury, but Raiders coach Pete Carroll expects the team's top pass catcher to be available.
Bowles sits on Saturday to practice on Thursday and Friday. Over the past two days, he has put on support on his left knee sleeve.
“He practiced well,” Carroll said Saturday. “He's really good today.”
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Powers said he felt good in practice. Asked if he was more optimistic about his availability, Powers said: “I don't know, it's hard to say. I'm just going to keep exercising and look at the rest of my day, tomorrow and the next day.
Powers suffered a knee injury in the second half of last week's defeat of the New England Patriots. Carroll said Bowles wanted to return to the game, but the training staff pulled him back.
Powers' availability is of great significance to the Raiders' offense. As a rookie, he leads all the close ends in Receive Codes (1,194). In his first game with starting quarterback Geno Smith, Bowers had a total of five catches for 103 yards. He made two receptions at least 30 yards.
If Powers can’t play, the Raiders are happy with their depth. Michael Mayer, a second-round draft pick from Notre Dame in 2023, had four catches last week for 38 yards. He has a strong training camp and says it's the best he feels mentally and emotionally. Mayer missed seven games last year for personal reasons.
Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly was impressed with Mayer's performance in Week 1. Mayer did a great job of running after the catch and blocking the ball below at the offensive point, he said.
“I think [there aren’t] Many people [who] With such luxury, you can have two talented players. I'll throw Ian [Thomas] “It's a big deal to have three close ends there to play and prove they can play in the NFL,” Kelly said.
In other injuries news, starting guard Elandon Roberts (elbow) will play after becoming a full participant on Saturday. Jackson Powers-Johnson was excluded after suffering a concussion during practice Thursday.
Alex Cappa is expected to start at right back.