Brock Bowers doubtful for Raiders-Chargers; pregame test will make it official

Brock Bowers will almost certainly miss Sunday's Week 2 game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers. The Raiders listed their tight end as doubtful on the final injury report after he managed only a limited practice on Friday — his first work of the week — while recovering from a knee meniscus trim procedure.

Head coach Klint Kubiak said Bowers will test the knee in a pregame workout before a final decision is made, leaving a narrow window open. But players listed as doubtful rarely suit up, and multiple reports indicate the Raiders are not expected to take that risk with one of their most important offensive weapons.

Kubiak indicated that Bowers would test out his knee pregame before a final decision is made.— Klint Kubiak, Raiders head coach

Kubiak added that if Bowers does not play Sunday, he is optimistic the tight end will be available in Week 3, when Las Vegas hosts the New Orleans Saints — a timeline consistent with what was initially reported after the meniscus procedure, according to Sporting News.

Bowers underwent the meniscus trim earlier this month and sat out the Raiders' Week 1 win over the Miami Dolphins. The Raiders are being cautious in part because a PCL injury cost Bowers several games in the previous season, according to SI.com. In that campaign he played 12 games, catching 64 of 86 targets for 680 yards and seven touchdowns.

Las Vegas showed it can function without him — at least for one week. Running back Ashton Jeanty carried 23 times for 102 yards and caught all six of his targets for 45 yards and two scores against Miami, according to SI.com, with quarterback Kirk Cousins leaning heavily on him as the focal point of the offense.

If Bowers is inactive again, tight end Michael Mayer is next in line. Mayer posted six catches for 32 yards in Week 1 and figures to see an expanded role in an offense that, per Sporting News, lacks proven pass-catching depth beyond Bowers and Jeanty.

For fantasy managers, Sporting News advises dropping Bowers from lineups rather than waiting for the 4 p.m. inactives, given the doubtful tag. Mayer is described as a viable TE2 option for Week 2.

Why it matters — Bowers is the Raiders' top pass-catching weapon, and his absence reshapes Las Vegas's offensive game plan and the fantasy value of everyone around him.

Reported by yahoo.com, cbssports.com, sportingnews.com, rotowire.com, si.com