Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers has undergone surgery to trim his meniscus and is expected to miss "a game or two," according to ESPN. The procedure, performed Tuesday in Dallas by Dr. Daniel Cooper, comes as a shock to fantasy football managers who drafted Bowers anticipating a significant role in the Raiders' offense.
Bowers, who dealt with knee issues last season, had the injury diagnosed last week. While the "game or two" timeline suggests a relatively quick return, a meniscus trim typically requires four-to-six weeks of recovery. A full meniscus repair, in contrast, can be season-ending, as was the case for Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The Raiders, however, appear optimistic about Bowers' return timeline.
The timing of the announcement has drawn criticism, particularly as head coach Klint Kubiak stated hours before the news broke that he expected "all our guys" to be ready for Sunday's opener. This raises questions about the communication surrounding Bowers' condition, which was known since last week.
Bowers had a standout rookie campaign in 2025, recording 1,194 yards on 112 receptions with five touchdowns. His absence, even if brief, will necessitate a greater reliance on the Raiders' second tight end, Michael Mayer, who could become a popular waiver wire add for fantasy managers.
Bowers was limited in training camp due to minor issues. Last season, he missed several weeks with a PCL sprain and bone bruise, ultimately playing in 12 games before being placed on injured reserve for the final two weeks.
The Raiders are scheduled to host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium. Kirk Cousins will likely look to Mayer to fill the void left by Bowers' injury.