This is a big development for those who want the Las Vegas Raiders to wave the white flag and tank for the No. 1 pick.
Wednesday, four days before the Raiders host the fellow 2-13 New York Giants in a game
that will have a major impact on determining the No. 1 overall draft pick in April, the team have placed both superstar tight end Brock Bowers and safety Jeremy Chinn on the injured reserve. Thus, their seasons are now over.
Bowers missed three games in the middle of the season because of a lingering knee injury he suffered in Week 1, but he has been fully healthy since. It is unknown if he aggravated it in Houston on Sunday. Chinn, a solid free-agent addition this season, has been dealing a knee injury but has played through it.
Bowers, the Raiders’ first-round pick in 2024, made the Pro Bowl this week for the second time in his two-season career. Bowers finished this season with 64 catches for 680 yards and seven touchdown receptions in a total of 12 games. Bowers set virtually every rookie receiving record last season as he had had 112 catches for 1,194 yards.
Michael Mayer will start for Bowers and a few players will probably help full Chinn’s role.
The Raiders now have to openings on their 53-man roster It was reported Wednesday that they added long snapper Luke Elkin to the practice squad. So, expect, at least, one practice-squad player to be promoted. It could be defensive end Jahfari Harvey, who was briefly promoted last week.
