Brock Bowers’ season is over after the Las Vegas Raiders star was placed on injured reserve.
The 23-year-old has been one of the few bright spots of a dreadful year – Tom Brady‘s first full season since becoming a minority owner of the Raiders. Bowers has amassed more receptions (64), receiving yards (680) and touchdowns (seven) than any of his teammates.
But the tight end has been battling a knee problem for six weeks and on Wednesday, ESPN revealed that Las Vegas was placing Bowers and safety Jeremy Chinn on IR.
Bowers suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury and a bone bruise in his left knee on the opening week of the season. He played through it for three games before being sidelined for three more.
The Raiders face the Giants on Sunday in a battle between two 2-13 teams that could have huge implications for the 2026 NFL draft. Las Vegas and New York are locked in a four-way battle for the No 1 overall pick with the Cleveland Browns (3-12) and Tennessee Titans (3-12).
Following their game against the Giants on December 28, the Raiders take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the final week of the regular season.
Brock Bowers’ season is over after the Las Vegas Raiders star was placed on injured reserve
The Raiders are 2-13 in their first full season since Tom Brady became a minority owner
For Las Vegas, the first pick would allow the team – part-owned by Brady – to oversee yet another offseason rebuild.
Their first attempt, led by head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith, has been a disaster.
For the Giants, meanwhile, a No 1 pick would offer New York the chance to add to the building blocks of a new era.
Jaxson Dart has emerged as the quarterback of the future for the blue half of New York. Running back Cam Skattebo also proved himself a dangerous and exciting weapon on the offense before a sickening leg break ended his rookie campaign.
Wide receiver Malik Nabers also had his year ended with an ACL tear but is one of the finest in the league in his position.