How long is Brock Bowers out? Latest injury update, return timeline for Raiders TE

The Las Vegas Raiders will be operating without their best offensive player for the third game in a row in Week 7, as star tight end Brock Bowers is doubtful and not expected to play.

Big things were expected for Bowers in 2025 after his historic rookie season, but his campaign has been disappointing thanks to his knee injury that he suffered in Week 1.

Bowers posted big numbers in the season-opening contest, but he didn't tally more than 46 yards in the next three games and it was clear he wasn't operating at 100%, which is why the Raiders decided to sit him for as long as they have.

The good news is, there is optimism surrounding Bowers' chances of returning in Week 9 after the Raiders come out of the bye. Here's what we know.

How long is Brock Bowers out?

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Bowers "will have a good chance" to return to the field in Week 9 after the Raiders come out of their Week 8 bye.

"Raiders TE Brock Bowers, listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game due to his knee injury, is not expected to play vs. the Chiefs, per source. The Raiders’ bye is next week, and Bowers will have a good chance to return after the bye," Schefter said.

This tracks with what head coach Pete Carroll said during the week.

The Raiders head coach hinted that the plan was to keep Bowers out through the bye to give him another week before unleashing him in Week 9.

“I’m hopeful, but we’re looking after him,” Carroll said of Bowers. “There’s a big bye coming up and all that kinda stuff. An extra week, a couple of weeks you’d get, before you’d have to come back. I’m optimistic always, but that doesn’t mean we’re getting him back. You look at the long haul of it, it might be best to just guarantee that he’s full speed and back. So we’ll see how we handle that.”

So, there you have it. Bowers' long-awaited return is likely to come in Week 9, so fantasy football owners just have to weather the storm for one more week.

It stinks, but giving Bowers the time to rest up and heal will only improve his outlook for the rest of the season.

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