After taking down the New England Patriots in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, the Las Vegas Raiders have struggled to find their way back to the win column and are 1-3. To make matters worse, second-year tight end Brock Bowers has been banged up for most of the season.
With a change in his status this week, here’s everything to know about Bowers’ injury and his status heading into the Raiders’ Week 5 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
What Is Brock Bowers’ Status for Week 5?
Despite catching eight of ten targets for 103 yards against the Patriots in Week 1, Bowers sustained an injury to his left knee and was forced to miss some snaps during the Patriots’ home opener. While banged up, he has played in every game for the Raiders this season, but has been wearing a brace on his knee since the Week 1 contest.
The injury hasn’t necessarily cost him targets. He caught 14 of 19 passes for 122 yards in the next three games. However, he has not been able to find the end zone yet this season.
Following the Raiders’ Week 4 matchup against the Washington Commanders, Bowers expressed frustration as he continued to get used to the brace, saying, “Yeah, I mean, I’ve been working every week to be as healthy as I can for game day. You know, gotta be wearing the knee brace. It’s frustrating at times, but I mean, I want to play. I want to be out there with the guys, so I gotta do what I gotta do.”
However, Bowers’ availability looked to be in jeopardy heading into the Week 5 matchup against the Colts after he was not able to practice on Thursday. This was after he logged a limited session on Wednesday. Had he gone from full to limited, that would be one thing, but to go from limited to out is concerning. The early injury is upsetting after the second-year TE had big expectations following an incredible rookie campaign.
Bowers also did not practice on Friday. However, there was also a positive update on whether the Raiders star could play against the Colts. “There’s continued optimism that Raiders star tight end Brock Bowers (knee) will end up being able to play Sunday vs. the Colts,” wrote CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz on X. He missed practice yesterday and may not practice today, but there’s continued optimism he’ll end up being available Sunday.”
“Raiders HC Pete Carroll said TE Brock Bowers (knee) will be questionable. Indicated they just rested him and anticipate him playing,” wrote Anthony Galaviz on X.
Unfortunately, things took a turn on Saturday, as NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Bowers is unlikely to play against the Colts. “Brock Bowers is trending toward not playing Sunday against the Colts,” he wrote. “Bowers has been battling a knee injury. While coach Pete Carroll expressed confidence in Bowers being out on the field, his knee didn’t respond.”
Fellow tight end Michael Mayer, who logged two limited sessions this week after a scary concussion he suffered in Week 3 against the Commanders, is also ruled out for the game against the Colts.
Brock is on my fantasy nooooooooooooooo