Based on multiple reports this week, there is a chance the Raiders will have Brock Bowers in the lineup against the Chargers on Sunday.
Just eight days after a meniscus trim, ESPN’s Dan Graziano said Bowers’ knee surgery was “not overly serious” and added that Bowers could have played last week, if necessary.
Bowers did not practice on Wednesday, though, and it still seems like the odds are against him playing before week 3.
As usual, the Raiders haven’t been quick to offer injury updates, and in the case of Bowers, head coach Klint Kubiak has been particularly difficult to squeeze information from.
Why have the Raiders been so elusive with injury news on Bowers?
According to former Raider wide receiver Ryan Hoag, there might be some gamesmanship going on with the way the Raiders have leaked information on Bowers.
“What you need to understand and what fans at home need to understand is that when Brock needs to be prepared for, that changes your entire week of preparation. Because every single practice somebody is wearing that jersey, that 89 jersey, and you’re identifying where he is on the field every single snap,” Hoag said on the Silver & Black Sports Network podcast on Thursday.
“Every single time, scout players like me, practice squad guys are wearing 89. We’re proud to wear it because we know, ‘Hey, I’m going to eat this practice. They’re throwing me every ball even if I’m double covered.’ The reality is, you’re predicating your whole offense around one guy like the Raiders do. I would argue that it’s almost worth eating the IR position…”
“I would argue, if I was Klint Kubiak and I knew Brock is going to be out for weeks, and again, I don’t know that, but let’s say worst case scenario, he is out for weeks. I would actually not use the spot for an IR position knowing that it is such an impactful position and person that you’re going to have to game plan for because why wouldn’t you put him on IR if he’s not expecting to play in the next couple of weeks. That is my thought process with that. I don’t think he plays. I don’t think it makes sense for him to play.
Kubiak isn’t going to share his secrets, but what we know is his level of preparation is as detailed as any coach in the league.
Kubiak knows the amount of time he would put into preparing for a player like Bowers, and it makes sense that he wouldn’t want to take any time away from opposing coaches getting ready for Bowers – especially if he isn’t going to play on Sunday.
Look for one more week of Michael Mayer as the Raiders’ TE1, and if Bowers shows up to play… get your popcorn ready. Because it sounds like Kubiak’s playbook this year is centered around getting the ball in the hands of his All-Pro tight end.
x: @raidersbeat
Hoag has the best podcast. Bowers can have a great year but you still have to get Fernando out there soon