The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to be without superstar tight end Brock Bowers against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7. Bowers actually returned to practice on Friday, but is still being listed as doubtful as the Raiders take a cautious approach with their stud playmaker. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is listed as questionable after returning to practice as a limited participant on Friday after missing two sessions earlier this week with injuries to his knee and toe.
Meyers might play, but his physical condition could be limited. Even when at full strength, Meyers and Geno Smith haven’t consistently been on the same page this season. Without Bowers for a third consecutive contest, the Raiders need more from rookie receivers Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech if they’re to upset the Chiefs.
There was legitimate hype for Thornton entering the season after a stellar training camp, but his impact has been near nonexistent. He hasn’t recorded a single catch in three straight games. Thornton wasn’t even targeted versus the Tennessee Titans last week.
It’s been a similar theme for Bech. The rookie second-rounder was also catch-less against the Titans in Week 6. Bech registered three receptions in Week 5, a 40-6 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts, but that included garbage time.
Smith has attempted to lean on Tre Tucker, Michael Mayer, and Ashton Jeanty in Bowers’ absence. The Raiders will require an all-hands-on-deck effort if they’re to compete with the surging Chiefs on Sunday. That means getting some production out of Thornton and Bech.