Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is week-to-week after missing his first game of the season Sunday, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters Monday.
Bowers had been playing through a PCL injury and bone bruise on his left knee, according to ESPN. He sustained the ailments during Las Vegas’ season-opening victory over the New England Patriots. The 22-year-old had been questionable to play Sunday versus the Indianapolis Colts but missed the Raiders’ last two days of practice.
Bowers has caught 19 passes for 225 yards while making one start in four appearances. He trails wide receivers Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker for the team lead in receiving yards this season, and he’s tied with Tucker for second in receptions.
Bowers is coming off an All-Pro rookie season where he made 112 catches for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns.
If Bowers isn’t available for Week 6, his backup could be ready to take his place. Tight end Michael Mayer will have an opportunity to clear concussion protocol Tuesday, Carroll said. He hasn’t played since suffering a concussion in Week 3.
The Raiders made a couple other personnel announcements Monday, saying they released veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt after he did not travel with the team for Sunday’s 40-6 loss to the Colts for non-injury reasons.
When asked postgame Sunday about Pratt’s absence, Carroll said he “just decided to go with the other guys.”
Pratt, 29, started four games for the Raiders (1-4), recording 25 tackles and two passes defensed. He signed with Las Vegas for one year and $4.25 million in June after playing with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2019-2024.
In addition, Carroll said Las Vegas punter AJ Cole sustained a low ankle sprain in Sunday’s loss and will attempt to kick Friday.
