Raiders tight end Brock Bowers underwent a meniscus trim Tuesday in Dallas and is expected to miss "a game or two," league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Wednesday.
Sources said Bowers got banged up "a little in camp," with the injury diagnosed last week, prompting surgery with Dr. Daniel Cooper to be scheduled. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak, speaking before the report of Bowers' surgery and absence Wednesday, said he expected to have all of his players ready for Sunday's opener against the visiting Dolphins.
Bowers has been dealing with knee issues since last season, when he played three games while dealing with a posterior cruciate ligament injury and a bone bruise in his left knee suffered in the Raiders' season-opening win over the Patriots. He was then sidelined for three games to recover, ultimately playing in 12 games with eight starts before being placed on injured reserve for the last two weeks of the season.
Bowers returned to the practice field in the spring fully healthy, showing that form throughout OTAs and training camp as a go-to target for quarterback Kirk Cousins. He has been expected to play a vital role in the passing game since the Raiders drafted him with the 13th pick in 2024.
Bowers' absence will force tight end Michael Mayer into a larger role on offense. Mayer totaled 35 catches for 328 yards and a touchdown in 12 games in 2025. The Raiders host the Dolphins before visiting the Chargers in Week 2.
