Brock Bowers injury update: Latest on Las Vegas Raiders star after Friday practice

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers did not practice again on Friday, according to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden. It marks a second straight day on the sidelines as he works his way back from a knee injury suffered in Week 1.

Bowers left the season opener against the New England Patriots, but downplayed the severity of his injury afterward. However, the former Georgia star has not practiced either day this week ahead of a Monday Night Football matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Speaking with reporters Thursday, Raiders coach Pete Carroll sounded optimistic about Bowers’ chances of playing in the primetime affair. However, he pointed out how important practice would be in making a final decision.

“[Linebacker Elandon Roberts] is not looking at this game like he can’t play, just like Brock,” Carroll said, via CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles. “They’re not looking like that at all. They think they’re playing, so we’ll see what happens, but they gotta practice through the week and make it through it.”

Bowers sat out Friday’s practice while Roberts was upgraded to limited as he deals with an elbow injury. Offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson popped up on the injury report, though, as he didn’t practice due to a concussion.

Prior to his injury in the Raiders’ season-opening victory over the Patriots, Bowers remained the centerpiece of the passing attack. He had a team-high 103 yards to help lead the charge as Las Vegas came away with the 20-13 victory. He picked upright where he left off as a rookie when he led the Raiders with 1,194 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

During his Monday press conference immediately following the Patriots game, Carroll considered Brock Bowers day-to-day with his injury. Saturday’s practice will be key if the star tight end is going to be able to suit up for the Monday Night Football matchup against Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers.

“We’re just going day-to-day,” Carroll said. “Those guys are tough guys. They’re not gonna take the easy way out of this. They’re all gonna push to get right. These three days right now are really crucial. We got the day off today, tomorrow is workouts and then we have the Tuesday day off. That will be really crucial for us. I know the Chargers have that even more so with the break they have, but this will really help us and give us a chance.”