It has been clear over the last three weeks that Brock Bowers’ knee is not at 100 percent, and while not a lot is known about the injury he suffered in week 1, it seems like the Raiders’ All-Pro tight end might have suffered a setback of some kind in the last week.
Bowers was limited in practice on Wednesday and did not practice on Thursday.
The coaches and medical team might have just been giving him additional rest, but their approach this week was a pivot from the way they involved Bowers in practice last week.
Bowers was listed as a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday of last week, and this week’s shift is a little concerning.
Former NFL team doctor David Chao talked about Bowers’ injury on Thursday and acknowledged it wasn’t a great sign to see the Raiders hold him out of practice or limit his involvement in consecutive days.
“Let’s keep our fingers crossed. We know he’s not 100 percent from his PCL injury,” Chao said on Thursday. “He’s still wearing the big brace. The Thursday DNP concerns everyone, but because he’s not 100 percent, resting him on Thursday makes some sense… hopefully he’s back limited on Friday and good to go.”
Chao mentioned the Raiders might have chosen to hold Bowers out of practice during defensive installs, but that would still be a shift from the way they approached his rehab a week ago.
Presumably, offensive and defensive installs occur on the same day each week, and Bowers didn’t miss any practice time last week.
Bowers hasn’t missed any games since injuring his knee, but he also hasn’t shown a lot of progression in the last three weeks. At best, he seems to be around 70-80 percent and hasn’t shown the same explosive abilities that he did a year ago.
Nevertheless, Bowers is tied for fifth among NFL tight ends with 19 receptions and is tied for third among tight ends with 225 receiving yards.
x: @raidersbeat
Bowers probably shouldn’t have practiced last week. He’s out best player let him heal give the man all the rest he needs because without him Smith might throw 20-30 picks this seeason.
Bowers said he can’t separate from.guys right now and that his knee still isn’t right. That is pure negligence by this coaching staff. They should have **** him down until he’s back to 100%.
Pete Carroll is senile. He needs to go.