Miami Dolphins won't have to face Raiders Pro Bowl TE Brock Bowers
· Yahoo Sports
MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins are going into their season opener relatively healthy.
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The Las Vegas Raiders cannot say the same.
Pro Bowl tight end Brock Bowers is expected to miss the game, and perhaps next week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, after undergoing a meniscus trim this week in Dallas, according to multiple outlets.
Bowers, who was injured last week, has had knee injuries dating to last season. It’s a significant absence, coming shortly after Bowers was rated No. 60 by peers on the list of the NFL’s top 100 players.
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Earlier this week, Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley referred to Bowers as “an elite tight end.”
“Just watching the tape, I have a ton of respect for him as a player, and he’s totally shown he has the ability to change games,” Hafley said.
Bowers was the Raiders’ first-round selection in 2024 and an impact player from the start, finishing his rookie year with 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. Last season, injuries restricted him to 12 games, but he managed 64 catches for 680 yards and seven TDs.
Hafley pointed out that Bowers (6-feet-4, 235 pounds) can line up at tight end or wide receiver, making it difficult to create a game plan for him.
“You just got to have a good plan because you better know where he is,” Hafley said. “And we’ll have a bunch of adjustments to that.”
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak spoke to reporters before reports were published of Bowers’ surgery. When asked if Bowers would be available, he said, “We’re expecting to have all of our guys ready for Sunday.”
Instead, the Raiders are expected to go with Michael Mayer at tight end. Last season, he caught 35 passes for 328 yards and a touchdown.
Another key playmaker in Las Vegas’ offense, running back Ashton Jeanty, has an ankle injury but was a full participant in practice Wednesday (Sept. 9).
Dolphins injury report almost non-existent
For the Dolphins, linebacker Ronnie Harrison Jr. (hamstring) and tight end Will Kacmarek (calf) were limited, although Kacmarek expects to play. Tight end Seydou Traore (thumb, Achilles) was a full participant in practice.
Hal Habib covers the Miami Dolphins for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins won't have to face Raiders Pro Bowl TE Brock Bowers
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