The Las Vegas Raiders are set to kick off their 2024 campaign on Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Chargers and they will see the debut of first-round pick and tight end, Brock Bowers.
After making his preseason debut in August, Bowers came down with a foot injury that kept him sidelined at practice for nearly a month. However, the rookie was able to return to practice this week.
The Georgia product turned in a pair of limited sessions on Wednesday and Thursday but was able to log a full practice on Friday and carries no injury designation into Week 1, according to the Raiders' official injury report, which means he's good to go.
Taken with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Bowers is will no doubt have a role in Las Vegas' offense in Year 1. However, it remains to be seen if missing so much practice time will hinder his snaps in the season-opener.
While Bowers is supremely talented, there are some concerns if you want to insert him into your fantasy football lineup.
Not only is it hard to predict what a rookie will do in his first game, Bowers has ample competition for targets with guys like Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, and Las Vegas' quarterback situation isn't exactly ideal with Gardner Minshew starting. Not to mention, Minshew and Bowers did not get any preseason reps together.
Knowing all that, temper expectations with Bowers and consider him more of a mid-range TE2, at best, entering this contest. If you have a more experienced and proven option at the position, don't be afraid to keep Bowers on the bench.
