Las Vegas Raiders' Biggest Week 2 Question Is Still Their Top Target

Sports admin September 18, 2026 0 Comments

Las Vegas Raiders’ Biggest Week 2 Question Is Still Their Top Target

The Las Vegas Raiders still do not know whether tight end Brock Bowers (knee) will be available Sunday at SoFi Stadium, and the uncertainty has become the central offensive question entering Week 2. Bowers missed the Week 1 win over the Miami Dolphins, then did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, leaving the offense to prepare for the Los Angeles Chargers without a clear answer on its top receiving option.

Locked On Raiders host Q Myers said Bowers is “the Raiders’ No. 1 target” and described the decision as one that should prioritize the tight end being fully healthy rather than rushing him back. Myers also said Bowers’ missed time and prior procedures make his availability worth closely monitoring, even if the club views the current issue as manageable.

Bowers’ absence would place an even heavier burden on running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle), who was a full participant in each of the first two practices this week. Jeanty carried 23 times in the opener; he added six receptions for 45 yards and two touchdowns, providing the dual-threat production the Raiders may need again if Bowers cannot play.

Locked On Chargers host David Droegemeier identified Jeanty’s receiving work as a defining matchup after he said Miami’s linebackers struggled to cover the second-year back. Droegemeier noted that the Chargers’ linebackers also had coverage issues in their opener, creating an avenue for the Raiders to use Jeanty beyond a conventional rushing workload.

Myers’ preferred formula starts with Jeanty and a controlled workload for quarterback Kirk Cousins. He said the offense should target a combined 50 rushing attempts and completions, a benchmark that would allow the Raiders to dictate tempo rather than ask Cousins to throw excessively. Las Vegas reached 57 in that combined total during its 14-point Week 1 victory.

The approach becomes more difficult without Bowers, whose presence can pull attention from Jeanty and create easier throws elsewhere. The Chargers also listed wide receiver Ladd McConkey (rib) as a nonparticipant Wednesday and Thursday, so both offenses enter the divisional matchup awaiting clarity on a leading pass-catching threat.

Bowers’ status will shape the degree of difficulty, but the Raiders have already shown the outline of their answer: Feed Jeanty, establish the run, and let Cousins operate from manageable situations. If Bowers sits again, that plan shifts from preference to necessity.

Friday’s final injury report should provide the Raiders’ clearest indication yet on Bowers before they try to turn their opening win into their first two-game streak since late in the 2024 season.

Raiders News and Notes

– Center Tyler Linderbaum has quickly become a major part of the offensive reset, Myers said, citing his second-level blocks in the opener. His ability to help create lanes for Jeanty will be central if Las Vegas leans further into its run-heavy plan.

– Linebacker Nakobe Dean and defensive end Maxx Crosby headline a defense that faces a different test against the Chargers’ run game. Myers said Dean’s speed showed immediately in the opener, while Crosby’s managed snap load is intended to keep him fresher late in games and through the season.

– Myers also expects improved special teams to become a meaningful advantage after returner Dylan Laube produced 95 kick-return yards in Week 1. He predicted the unit could finally deliver the franchise’s first kickoff-return touchdown since 2011.