Head coach
Injury Recovery and Team Outlook
Addressing the media regarding Bowers' status, Kubiak praised the tight end's commitment to his rehabilitation. The coach noted that Bowers is working diligently to return to action as quickly as possible, a mindset that comes as no surprise to the coaching staff. Kubiak confirmed that the team will remain cautious, relying on the expertise of athletic trainers and wellness coordinator Alex Guerrero to determine when the player is fit to compete.
The injury was diagnosed last week, leading to a procedure performed by Dr. Daniel Cooper. While Bowers experienced some discomfort during training camp, Kubiak indicated he could not pinpoint the exact moment the injury occurred. The tight end has dealt with knee complications previously, having played through a posterior cruciate ligament injury and a bone bruise in his left knee during the previous season. That earlier issue forced him to miss three games following the team's season-opening victory against the New England Patriots.
In Bowers' absence during the 27-13 victory over Miami, Michael Mayer stepped into the primary tight end role. Mayer saw significant involvement in the offense, recording six receptions for 32 yards on seven targets. The Raiders will continue to evaluate Bowers' progress throughout the week before making a final decision on his availability for the trip to Los Angeles.
