Las Vegas Raiders

Brock Bowers entered the season as perhaps the best tight end in the league, but the third-year player needed unexpected knee surgery before the season began.

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While Bowers needed a meniscus operation, insiders insisted that the surgery was minor and that Bowers would be able to return sooner rather than later. A week after Bowers’ surgery, the tight end appears on track to get back on the field soon for a Raiders team that is looking to go on a winning streak.

Las Vegas will play its first divisional game this week as the team travels on the road to play the Las Angeles Chargers, who are looking to avoid an 0-2 start to their season. A Raiders win would be a significant statement about their standing in the division, and Bowers returning would only strengthen their chances.

Here’s the latest on Bowers injury status.

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Brock Bowers injury update

Bowers underwent meniscus surgery before the season began, but the Raiders reportedly maintained that it was a minor operation. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports that Las Vegas continues to believe that to be the case, as he says Bowers could try to play this week if his knee feels good.

«The team felt he could have played last week if necessary, and it’s possible he returns this week,» Graziano said. «But the organization is determined to be careful and not play him until they’re 100 percent certain he’s not being affected by the knee. I believe the latest you’ll see Bowers is Week 4 against the Chiefs.»

Bowers is one of the most important players on the team, but the Raiders will be cautious since he missed five games last year due to knee injuries. Adam Schefter reported a similar timeline on Sunday morning before the Raiders season began.

After undergoing a meniscus trim Tuesday, the Raiders believe there’s a realistic chance Brock Bowers will miss only one game and return for Week 2 at the Los Angeles Chargers, per sources. Team will see how he’s feeling this week, but a potential return next week is within the… pic.twitter.com/YYADYQ7AN1

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— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 13, 2026

Bowers apparently injured his knee during training camp, but the team didn’t know he needed surgery until after training camp concluded. He has had knee issues in the past, including a PCL injury and a bone bruise that lingered during the 2025 season.

On Monday, head coach Klint Kubiak said Bowers is trying to get back on the field for Week 2’s matchup against the Chargers.

«[Bowers is] working his tail off to get back out on the field,» Kubiak said. «It’s really important to him to play as soon as possible, and that doesn’t surprise me about Brock.»

MORE: Predictions for Week 2 of the NFL season

Brock Bowers return date

Bowers is not expected to be out for long, as Graziano says the tight end should be able to return within the next three weeks. That puts Bowers’ return date in one of the following games:

• 9/20 @ Chargers
• 9/27 @ Saints
• 10/4 vs. Chiefs

All three of those games are set for a Sunday in the late window so there’s no short week or extra rest that Las Vegas has to worried about. Las Vegas does go on the road in each of the next two weeks before hosting the Chiefs in Week 4.

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