Brock Bowers injury update: Raiders make official decision vs. Colts, news emerges on Week 6 status

Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is officially inactive for Las Vegas’ game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Bowers is battling a lingering knee injury that he suffered in the Raiders’ season-opener.

Bowers was listed as questionable this week and didn’t participate in practice Thursday and Friday. However, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said he expected Bowers to play against the Colts. Now, the star TE will be sidelined for the game.

Bowers left the Raiders’ Week 1 win over the Patriots after being tackled near the sideline at the end of a play. Before leaving the game, Bowers tallied five catches for a team-high 103 receiving yards. Bowers played in the Raiders’ next three games, but never looked completely healthy.

In the Raiders’ past three outings, Bowers recorded a combined 14 catches for 122 yards. Earlier this month, Bowers opened up on how the lingering knee injury has affected his play.

“It’s painful, sore, just annoying [and] frustrating because I want to be back to full strength and going full speed, being able to separate from guys,” Bowers said. “I feel like I can’t really do that to the best of my abilities right now.”

As a rookie last season, Brock Bowers led the Raiders with 112 catches for 1,194 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Bowers led all NFL tight ends in receptions and receiving yards. Additionally, Bowers’ 1,194 receiving yards were the most by any position in Raiders history.

To pile on, Bowers’ 112 receptions were the most-ever by an NFL rookie, shattering a record set by Puka Nacua only the previous year. While Bowers hasn’t been able to play to his potential recently, the Raiders have continued to heavily involve the former Georgia standout in their game plans.

“We’re still trying to get the ball to him and use all of the great skills that he has. So, nothing’s changed in that regard,” Pete Carroll said. “I think we’re going to see him better as he gets rid of that brace in a couple of weeks or whenever that happens.”

Tight end Michael Mayer has played a larger role for the Raiders this season with Bowers injured. However, Mayer is also unavailable on Sunday due to a concussion. Ian Thomas is listed as the third tight end on the Raiders’ depth chart.

The Raiders will square off against the Colts at 10 a.m. PT on Sunday. The game will air live on FOX.