We’re in an unusual phase of the NFL preseason. With teams now playing just three games, the final week has become a showcase for the deepest backups. Starters aren’t even participating in this weekend’s games, which complicates injury reports. Aside from a few players who are truly on the roster bubble, anyone with even a minor injury is likely to sit out this weekend. I mention this because for the rest of this blog, we’re going to hit the panic button.
Brock Bowers is still injured, or perhaps the Raiders are just being cautious with him. However, given the latest update on his condition, things are starting to feel a bit concerning. This information comes from Tashan Reed, Senior Writer and Raiders reporter for The Athletic:
I’m not losing my cool over Brock Bowers; it seems like you’re the one who’s worried. At this point in the calendar, it’s not necessarily a cause for alarm that he’s being held out. However, the fact that he hasn’t practiced for more than a week is a bit concerning. It’s entirely possible that they’ve seen enough from Bowers during the preseason to give him a few weeks to recover before the season begins. Raiders fans might not see it that way, but it’s a possibility!
For what it’s worth, Antonio Pierce mentioned to reporters this week that all decisions regarding Bowers were made as a precaution, similar to the cautious approach taken with Jackson Powers-Johnson before the Week 1 Chargers game.
So, everything seems fine for now. And sure, the situation isn’t fully resolved yet, but I’m choosing to act like it is! After all, it’s only the third week of preseason and nothing truly counts! Bowers will be back for Week 1, have a great performance, and we’ll look back and wonder why we even bothered with preseason. Historically, foot injuries don’t tend to be problematic, so there’s really no reason to be concerned.
As the preseason wraps up, attention shifts to what the Las Vegas Raiders might achieve when the regular season kicks off on September 8. Despite the national media’s modest expectations for the team, history shows that preseason predictions often hold little weight once the games actually start.
A major storyline this summer was the decision on who would be the starting quarterback for the Raiders’ Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Recently, head coach Antonio Pierce chose veteran Gardner Minshew II over second-year player Aidan O’Connell.
Minshew has been positive about his new role, and the hope is that he will bring more stability to the Raiders’ offense than in previous years. The offensive roster is full of talent, but success will largely depend on whether Minshew proves to be the right choice.
While the Raiders have standout players like Davante Adams, Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Zamir White, and Jakobi Meyers, one player who might particularly benefit from Minshew’s selection is Tre Tucker.
Tucker, a second-year wide receiver, has had an impressive summer, showing potential that the Raiders glimpsed last season. His explosive playmaking ability, combined with the presence of Adams and Meyers, should create more opportunities for him.
Minshew and Tucker have built a strong connection during preseason games and practices, with Minshew’s improved accuracy after recent Lasik surgery adding to the positive dynamics. Although the Raiders may face challenges this season, Minshew’s knack for extending plays could greatly benefit Tucker, who appears poised to make a significant impact in his second year.
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