All the questions about Brock Bowers’ readiness after returning from a knee injury on Sunday were quickly diminished when he caught an early touchdown for the Las Vegas Raiders against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bowers had sat out the previous three games, which affected the Raiders’ already-thin offensive unit. The team had a bye week before hosting the Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium, giving Bowers extra time to recuperate. Fans wondered if he would be rusty after his extended time on the sidelines, especially since he had not played since Week 4.
However, the second-year tight end did not waste any time making his presence felt against Jacksonville. He scored on a seven-yard touchdown in the second quarter, giving the Raiders an early 6-0 lead. What made the play special was his one-handed catch before falling to the ground. Although it was initially ruled incomplete, a review showed that Bowers’ hip was in bounds, confirming the touchdown.
This score completed a 13-play, 95-yard drive by the Raiders and delighted the fans. It was a laudable play by the 22-year-old Bowers, demonstrating that he is not afraid to mix it up, even after recovering from a troubling injury.
Despite Bowers’ much-anticipated return, it wasn’t enough to power the Raiders to victory. Las Vegas lost to the Jaguars in a heartbreaker in overtime, 30-29, dropping their record to 2-6 and marking six losses in their last seven games.
Bowers finished the game with an impressive 12 receptions for 127 yards and three touchdowns. Notably, he extended his streak to 22 straight games with at least two receptions, making it the longest such streak in league history for a tight end starting a career.
Clearly, the Raiders cannot afford to lose Bowers, who was named to the All-Pro First Team and the Pro Bowl as a rookie. The 13th overall pick has been a gem for Las Vegas, and sustaining another injury would be a worst-case scenario for the team.
Looking ahead, the Raiders will aim to bounce back on Thursday when they face the Denver Broncos.
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