Brock Bowers injury: Should fantasy managers be worried about Raiders TE?

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers was selected 13th in the 2024 NFL draft out of Georgia. Bowers was one of the best tight ends coming out of college, but he is dealing with a foot injury ahead of the Raiders' season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 8.

Brock Bowers injury update

Brock Bowers expects to play in Week 1. Source: Imagn

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers has been dealing with a foot injury, but coach Antonio Pierce said it was precautionary and expects him to play in Week 1 against the Chargers.

"Yeah, just precautionary. Got a foot injury and we just want to protect him," Pierce said.

In Las Vegas' preseason opener, Bowers recorded two receptions for 25 yards.

Should fantasy managers be worried about Brock Bowers?

Brock Bowers is projected to be drafted in the late 90s or early 100s in most fantasy drafts.

Despite being a rookie, Bowers projects to be one of the top tight ends. The Raiders will likely employ a ton of 12-team personnel which means both Bowers and tight end Michael Mayer will be on the field. Mayer is a better blocker which will allow Bowers to be a receiving option.

Davante Adams is the Raiders' No. 1 pass catcher, but Bowers could easily become Las Vegas' No. 2 option, especially in the middle of the field.

Antonio Pierce has also heaped praise on Bowers and expects him to have success in the 12 personnel.

Pierce said, via SI:

"Being a former player going against 12 personnel, the matchups, the alignments that they get you in, what you do defensively I think becomes an issue as well. But you're looking at really, I think we're fortunate to have two tight ends on our roster, that in the last four years of college football were pretty much the best two.

"And I think hopefully that creates issues. It's going to create issues for us at practice, we'll see that. In our division, we've got some really good tight ends, so it'll be good reps for us as well."

Last season at Georgia, Bowers recorded 56 receptions for 716 yards and six touchdowns. Ultimately, Bowers has the upside of being a top-10 tight end in fantasy this season.