Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers will miss multiple games to start the new NFL season after undergoing a meniscus trim operation in Dallas on Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported. Bowers is expected to be out for "a game or two."
The procedure was performed by Dr Daniel Cooper, who told Schefter that the injury was diagnosed last week after Bowers got "banged up a little in camp."
Recovery from a meniscus trim is typically four to six weeks, but the Raiders and Bowers' medical team believe he could return sooner than that. With the surgery complete, the team will lean on tight end Michael Mayer to carry the bulk of the workload while Bowers recovers.
The injury is a painful blow for a Raiders team already expected to face a difficult road in a stacked AFC West division.
Bowers' rise as an All-Pro
Bowers enters his third NFL season already a first-team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler. As a rookie, he set league records for the most catches by a rookie in a single season and the most receiving yards by a rookie tight end.
Last season a pair of injuries limited him to eight starts and 12 games played. Even so, he hauled in seven touchdowns, the most of his career.
Raiders' new era under Tom Brady
The Raiders, part owned by Tom Brady, are entering a new era with first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza waiting in the wings. The Indiana product is expected to eventually help guide a franchise that has missed the playoffs for four straight years toward its first playoff win since 2002.
For now, the Raiders are taking it slow with Mendoza and have named veteran Kirk Cousins their starter for Week 1. Bowers, even while working back from surgery, is expected to remain a key part of the team's push for success.
Season opener on Sunday
Las Vegas will begin its 2026 NFL campaign on Sunday, hosting the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium.
