HENDERSON, Nev. -- Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers underwent a meniscus trim Tuesday in Dallas and is expected to miss "a game or two," league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Wednesday.
Bowers got banged up "a little in camp," with sources saying the injury was diagnosed last week, prompting surgery with Dr. Daniel Cooper to be scheduled.
First-year Raiders coach Klint Kubiak, speaking before the report of Bowers' surgery and absence Wednesday, said he expected to have all of his players ready for Sunday's opener against the visiting Miami Dolphins.
Asked specifically about whether Brock would be available, he said: "We're expecting to have all of our guys ready for Sunday."
Bowers has been dealing with knee issues since last season. He played three games while dealing with a posterior cruciate ligament injury and a bone bruise in his left knee that he suffered in the Raiders' season-opening win over the New England Patriots. Bowers then was sidelined for three games to recover.
He ended up playing in 12 games (eight starts) before he was placed on injured reserve for the last two weeks of the season. He totaled 64 catches for 680 yards and seven touchdowns and was named to his second straight Pro Bowl
Bowers returned to the practice field in the spring fully healthy, and that was apparent in his performance throughout OTAs and training camp. He was a go-to target for veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in practice and was expected to play a vital role in the passing game, which has been the case since Las Vegas drafted him with the 13th pick in 2024.
Bowers' absence now will force tight end Michael Mayer to take on a larger role on offense. In 2025, Mayer totaled 35 catches for 328 yards and a touchdown in 12 games.
After the Dolphins matchup, the Raiders visit the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2.
