Raiders place TE Brock Bowers on IR with knee injury
The Las Vegas Raiders will place Pro Bowl tight end Brock Bowers on IR due to a knee injury, according to NFL Media. The move comes with two weeks remaining and the Raiders (2-13) have long been eliminated from playoff contention.
Bowers, 23, suffered a PCL injury and a bone bruise in his left knee during Las Vegas’ season-opening win over the New England Patriots. He played through the injury in the team’s next three games before missing three games in an attempt to recover from his injury. In his first game after this absence, he recorded 12 catches for 127 yards and three touchdowns.
In total, Bowers finishes the season with 64 receptions for 780 yards and seven touchdowns – all team highs, but the first two categories are significantly down from a historic debut season of 112 catches and 1,194 yards. Bowers’ 112 receptions were a rookie record, and his 1,194 yards were a rookie record at tight end.
The Raiders finish the season with games against the New York Giants and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Week 17 game in New York is important, as both teams boast 2-13 records, tied for the worst in the NFL. The loser of this game will take the top spot in the NFL draft order.
The Raiders also placed safety Jeremy Chinn on IR, also ending his season.
