Bowers is labeled as doubtful for this game, but reports from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network state that Bowers is not expected to play vs. Chargers. Bowers is still recovering from a minor knee procedure.

However, Rapoport also reported that Bowers “should be good to go” for Week 3 when the Raiders face the New Orleans Saints. Bowers is one of the most elite tight ends in the NFL, so for the Raiders, they need him back as soon as possible.

Who is Bowers replacement?

Michael Mayer is the primary replacement for Las Vegas Raiders’ TE1 spot. Mayer is a good, reliable veteran. Tight ends Ian Thomas and Jalen Myarick are also available on the roster, but they are more blocking tight ends.

Mayer caught six passes on seven targets during the Raiders’ win in Week 1 over the Miami Dolphins. He was very involved. He might not be Bowers, but he is a very serviceable tight end to have.

The Raiders rely on TEs as WR room is thin

The Raiders might have one of the best tight end rooms in the NFL but that’s not the case for the wide receivers. Hence, the playbook has plenty of schemes designed for the tight end to thrive, as the wideouts are not close to being stars. These are the WRs for the Raiders:

• Tre Tucker
• Jalen Nailor
• Jack Bech
• Cody White
• Malik Benson
• Dareke Young

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Kubiak said Bowers is “day-to-day,” but also reported that there’s a “realistic chance” that Bowers will only miss one game after a meniscus trim. Hence, he could be in Week 2 when the Raiders face the Chargers.

The Raiders managed to look great on offense despite not having their best weapon. It’s clear that Kubiak’s playbook is already working and making everyone better. It was a much more smoother offense than last year.

Raiders offense without Bowers

In any other year, this would be catastrophic. However, this time the Raiders offense put up 27 points, had 21 first downs, and controlled time of possession. However, it was not an elite showing. They still have a lot to improve, and this was against Miami, who is arguably the worst-projected team in the NFL.

For instance, the team didn’t even get to 300 total yards, only gathered 4.3 yards per play, and was 5/13 on third downs. Bowers will clearly help improve all those metrics as he is a certified playmaker.

The Raiders have a much tougher test in Week 2

While not the best performance in Week 1, the Los Angeles Chargers will absolutely be a tougher test than the Dolphins. Hence, the Raiders will be in for a treat, and if Bowers is playing for the Raiders, Las Vegas’ chances to win improve. As for the Raiders, this is also a divisional rivalry game. Hence, it’s a very important game.

Bowers recently underwent a meniscus trim procedure after dealing with the knee issue, and his recovery has been viewed positively. Rather than risk aggravating the injury in Week 1, head coach Klint Kubiak is taking a cautious approach with one of the most important players on his offense. The Raiders would much rather have Bowers healthy for the long term than push him onto the field before he is ready.

His absence is still a significant blow, especially for Kirk Cousins. The veteran quarterback was chosen to lead Kubiak’s offense into the season, and Bowers was expected to be one of his most dangerous and reliable weapons. Without him against Miami, the Raiders will have to find other ways to generate production in the passing game while their offensive centerpiece continues his recovery.

When will Brock Bowers return from injury with Raiders?

The good news for the Raiders is that Brock Bowers’ recovery has been positive following the meniscus trim, which carries a considerably shorter recovery timeline than a more extensive meniscus repair. That has created optimism that his absence could be limited to the beginning of the season rather than becoming a long-term issue.

Bowers could potentially return next week when the Raiders travel to face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2. However, that should be viewed as a possibility rather than a guarantee, particularly because Kubiak has emphasized caution with his star tight end. The Raiders will likely want to see how Bowers responds physically before making a final decision about his availability.

For now, Las Vegas will have to begin the season without one of its biggest offensive weapons. Michael Mayer is expected to take on a larger role, but replacing what Bowers brings to the offense will be difficult. For Cousins and Kubiak, Week 1 against Miami will therefore be an early test of how effectively the Raiders can operate without their star tight end.

“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,” the insider stated on X. “Team will see how he’s feeling this week, but a potential return next week is within the realm of possibility.”

Despite the disappointing 2025 season, Bowers has been one of the bright spots on offense. Klint Kubiak, who tends to make the most of this position on the field, could have his tight end back much sooner than expected.

The tight ends available to the Raiders

New faces on the roster, as well as on the coaching staff. Hope is rising again in Las Vegas, as the Raiders, led by Kirk Cousins, look to establish themselves as a tough team to beat in the AFC West.

While Bowers’ absence could be a significant loss, this team has three more tight ends on its depth chart. The first option as his replacement is Michael Mayer, while Ian Thomas and Chris Myarick are further down.

Bowers wants to improve on his 2025 season

Despite dealing with nagging knee issues that limited him to 12 games in 2025, Brock Bowers still proved why he’s a focal point for the Raiders, hauling in 64 catches for 680 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. Coming off a legendary rookie campaign, his efficiency dipped slightly due to the missed time, but he still earned a Pro Bowl selection.

Bowers will be looking to get back to his monster 1,000-yard form, reclaim his spot as the undisputed top tight end in the league, and remain the ultimate security blanket for Las Vegas in the passing game.

Can the Raiders find their way again?

Pete Carroll’s experience as the Raiders’ head coach in 2025 left Las Vegas at the bottom of its division with a 3-14 record. Now, with Klint Kubiak as the new leader of the team, this team is hopeful that it can compete in the AFC.

Following their opener against the Dolphins, the Raiders have some interesting games ahead as they look to get the season off to a strong start. In Week 2, they will visit the Chargers before traveling to New Orleans to face the Saints. In Week 4, they will host the Kansas City Chiefs and then travel to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots.

“He played really good football. I’m really happy with all three of our quarterbacks. Kirk’s had a really good offseason, very good camp and he’s earned it,” the HC revealed per ESPN‘s Adam Schefter.

Aidan O’Connell is the other quarterback on the Raiders’ depth chart, although he is expected to have fewer opportunities to see the field throughout the season. Ultimately, Cousins’ experience prevailed over the other options as he prepares to lead the team into another campaign.

Cousins brings plenty of NFL experience

Kirk Cousins is officially rolling into his 15th NFL season, continuing one of the most durable and steady under-center runs in modern football. Drafted in 2012 by Washington Redskins as a fourth-round backup to Robert Griffin III, Cousins took over starting duties in 2015 and never looked back, eventually carving out major multi-year chapters with Washington, Minnesota Vikings, and Atlanta Falcons.

While playoff success has been elusive, his biggest claim to fame remains his remarkable consistency and high-level individual efficiency: he’s a 4-time Pro Bowler who surpassed 44,000 career passing yards and nearly 300 passing touchdowns, earning a reputation as one of the ultimate intermediate-to-deep pocket passers and highest-earning players in league history.

A tough start to the season for Las Vegas

The Raiders are looking at a crucial opening stretch to kick off their 2026 campaign. They open up at home at Allegiant Stadium against the Dolphins in Week 1 before hitting the road for back-to-back road tests against the divisional-rival Los Angeles Chargers and a trip to the Superdome to face the New Orleans Saints.

The schedule doesn’t ease up from there, as they head back to Vegas for a massive AFC West showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4, followed by a tricky Week 5 trip east to take on the New England Patriots.

“He’s a tireless worker. He loves football. He loves his teammates. He’s energetic on the field. He’s self-critical. He’s self-aware. He’s very accurate,” the General Manager said, via transcript from the team. “His time is coming, but he’s got to earn it every day, and he knows that. I think we’re all very pleased with the person and his work ethic and his commitment to being a great quarterback.”

The arrival of Klint Kubiak as the franchise’s new head coach signals another change in direction. Will the rookie be the right player to lead the team to a successful season, or will they instead have to rely on Kirk Cousins’ experience?

Mendoza’s first steps in the NFL

Taking his first NFL snaps as a pro, Fernando Mendoza got a true trial-by-fire experience during his 2026 preseason with the Raiders. Across the exhibition slate, the rookie completed 25 of 45 passes (55.6%) for 240 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions, registering a 59.5 passer rating.

While he showed flashes from a clean pocket, his biggest growing pain was adjusting to NFL pressure and playing on time—taking 4 sacks and suffering 14 hits on 51 drop backs while learning to navigate the pocket against pro defenses.

Will Kubiak turn to Cousins?

The battle for the QB1 job in Las Vegas was fierce and closely contested. Still, Klint Kubiak explained that Kirk Cousins earned the starting role against the Miami Dolphins based on his performance throughout the offseason, which stood out above the rest of the quarterbacks.

The first challenges for Las Vegas

The Raiders are one of the NFL franchises undergoing a rebuilding process, with several new faces looking to help turn things around. Establishing themselves in the AFC West is one of the team’s first objectives, and getting off to a strong start will be crucial to building momentum.

• Week 1, vs Miami Dolphins – September 13
• Week 2, at Los Angeles Chargers – September 20
• Week 3, at New Orleans Saints – September 27
• Week 4, vs Kansas City Chiefs – October 4
• Week 5, at New England Patriots – October 11

Ogunbowale won’t make the 53-man roster cut, but that doesn’t mean the Raiders won’t do moves. However, it seems like the running back depth chart right now is one they’re happy with:

• Ashton Jeanty
• Mike Washington Jr.
• Dylan Laube
• Roman Hemby

Ogunbowale should’ve made the cut

Ogunbowale is objectively a more productive NFL running back than Laube and Hemby. However, that doesn’t mean the younger backs are safe on the roster. Also, this moves is a sign that the Raiders favor age and roster flexibility.

NFL rules allow teams to elevate a practice squad player to the active game-day roster up to three times without officially signing them to the 53-man roster. If Ogunbowale clears waivers, they could sign him back to their practice squad.

Ogunbowale’s NFL stats

It’s been a 9-year NFL career for Ogunbowale where he has spent it all as a rotational piece in teams like the then-Washington Commanders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans.

He’s had 177 rushing attempts, 594 yards, and five touchdowns. Ogunbowale also has 109 receptions for 850 yards and two receiving touchdowns. As a rotational piece, he’s been highly effective.

During an interview with ESPN, Cignetti told Kevin Clark that Mendoza has “Quick arm, good arm strength, good mobility. Got a body of work out there and he’s going to be a really good pro…if not this year, sometime soon.”

Hence, Cignetti knows destiny is bright for Mendoza. However, there is a key thing in his assessment, which is the speed on his arm. Many QBs have good arm strength, or accuracy. However, not all can unleash a pass quickly while keeping their poise.

Cignetti made a key observation

A few days ago, the world saw Jim Harbaugh in a media campaign to affirm JJ McCarthy as the best rookie quarterback. Two years later, and McCarthy has lost its job altogether. Cignetti, though, was way more cautious.

He said, “if not this year, sometime soon.” This means Cignetti could see Mendoza as a guy that could benefit from sitting behind Kirk Cousins for a year, or at least by a good portion of the season. Is this concerning for Mendoza? Not really, it’s more of a learning curve, after all, Cignetti also said he will be a very good pro.

Cousins’ role is hanging by a thread

While it seems Kirk Cousins is the one starting the season as the Raiders QB1, nothing has been confirmed yet by head coach Klint Kubiak. Also, even if Cousins starts, every mistake will be a huge talking point as Mendoza will be waiting for his chance to shine.

How to watch Raiders vs 49ers in the USA

Raiders vs 49ers will be televised locally on FOX5 Las Vegas. For streaming, Fubo and NFL+ are the main options for viewers watching the game outside the local broadcast market, as the services carries live out-of-market preseason games.

Can I watch Raiders vs 49ers for free?

Yes, eligible viewers can watch Raiders vs 49ers for free with Fubo‘s 5-day free trial. The platform’s official listing for the game shows the matchup live on NFL Network and currently offers a “Try for free” option.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Raiders vs. 49ers is the final preseason game for both teams, making Thursday’s matchup an important final audition before the regular season. Las Vegas enters the game after a 22-20 comeback win over Houston, while San Francisco dominated the Chargers 41-17 in Week 2.

With the preseason ending, the focus now shifts from results to the players trying to secure their places on the 53-man roster. For the Raiders, one of the biggest storylines remains the quarterback competition between Kirk Cousins and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

Head coach Klint Kubiak had not yet named his starter after the Houston game, keeping the battle open with one preseason opportunity remaining. Mendoza struggled against the Texans, throwing a pick-six and finishing 8-of-15 for 86 yards, while Cousins did not play.

San Francisco, meanwhile, is coming off its most convincing preseason performance. The 49ers scored 41 points against the Chargers, with Jacob Cowing returning a punt 83 yards for a touchdown and the team producing an explosive offensive display.

Brock Purdy made his preseason debut in that game and played only one series, completing 4 of 6 passes for 29 yards, so his workload against Las Vegas will be one of the key questions to follow.

What time is the Raiders vs 49ers match?

The Raiders vs 49ers match kicks off on Thursday, August 27, at 8:00 PM ET. The game will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and is the final preseason game for both teams. The Raiders’ official schedule lists a 5:00 PM PT kickoff.

• Eastern Time: 8:00 PM
• Central Time: 7:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 6:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 5:00 PM

For the Raiders, Kirk Cousins has played exactly one drive all preseason, with Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell taking the workload. That might happen again vs. 49ers, and maybe even Jacob Clark could see some snaps.

As for the 49ers, Brock Purdy played the first drive last week, and he might do the same tonight vs Raiders. However, with stars like George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Mike Evans, and Christian Kirk all banged up, head coach Kyle Shanahan might limit his QB to not risk an injury.

Purdy and Mendoza face two very different situations

Purdy is undoubtedly the 49ers starting quarterback. However, he does have a premium backup in Mac Jones. In fact, Jones was very good last season when Purdy was injured. Still, Purdy doesn’t want to feel added pressure and should not try to risk himself much.

As for Mendoza, he is in the middle of a fight with Kirk Cousins over the Raiders’ QB1 spot. He is apparently losing that battle, but strong showings paired with Cousins form could perfectly give him a chance to leapfrog the veteran at any point in the season.

NFL Preseason Week 3 means a lot for some players

While some, like star QBs or even star players elsewhere, see the last preseason game as the last hurdle to avoid injuries, others see this game as the last chance to earn a spot on the 53-man final roster.

Late-round picks, undrafted free agents, veterans on a minimum contract and practice squad players all seek a spot to remain on the team, so the intensity is quite high for some players in these games.

Jeanty was helped off the field by trainers and could not put any weight on his right leg, according to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden. The incident occurred after he dived for a catch and landed awkwardly.

However, according to Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter, the setback is not considered a long-term injury. Jeanty is believed to have sprained his ankle. While Las Vegas is still unsure how long he will be out, it is not considered a long-term injury, and the organization is breathing a sigh of relief.

A significant blow for the Raiders

Jeanty handled a heavy workload for the Raiders as a rookie after being selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Boise State product recorded 266 carries for 975 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while adding 55 receptions for 346 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.

While Jeanty accumulated 1,321 scrimmage yards, he was not particularly efficient between the tackles, as his 3.7 yards per carry ranked 44th league-wide among 49 qualifying running backs. His struggles stemmed in part from an offensive line that allowed him an average of just 1.6 yards before contact per carry, the third-worst mark in the NFL.

Jeanty currently sits as the top running back on the Las Vegas depth chart among five options. According to the squad’s unofficial depth chart, the organization has options to maintain a replacement, though matching his production will likely prove difficult.

• Ashton Jeanty
• Mike Washington Jr.
• Dylan Laube
• Roman Hemby
• Dare Ogunbowale

Who is Ashton Jeanty’s backup?

Mike Washington Jr. is currently listed as the backup to Ashton Jeanty. The Raiders selected the rookie in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft after he rushed for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns on 167 carries during his lone season at Arkansas.

Washington has logged 15 carries for 119 yards across two preseason games thus far. The 6-foot-2, 228-pound running back has also added two catches for 18 yards while solidifying his position as the top option behind Jeanty.