Michael Mayer was invigorated Thursday after seeing fellow Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, who had his left meniscus trimmed and won’t play against the Miami Dolphins.
“He’s in good spirits,” Mayer said at his locker.
Mayer is, too.
With Bowers out for Sunday’s season opener at Allegiant Stadium, the fourth-year tight end is poised to play a larger role against Miami. Bowers was positioned as the team’s top target and focal point of its passing offense, but with the third-year former All-Pro sidelined, more throws could be headed Mayer’s way.
“It’s a business. It’s a profession. It’s a next-man-up mentality,” said Mayer, a second-round draft pick in 2023 who has 788 career receiving yards. “… Whether Brock is playing or not, I think I’ve just got to have the same mentality. I’m going out there to help my team win and be the best player I can be. Be the best version of myself.”
Bowers is irreplaceable as one of the NFL’s top pass catchers, a too-big, too-fast, too-quick, too-smooth target who dominated training camp. His defensive counterparts in silver and black were overmatched during practices, and his talents traveled last month to Houston, where he repeatedly found openings during a controlled scrimmage against the vaunted Texans defense.
Mayer doesn’t possess the same burst or wiggle. Instead, he functions as a dependable blocker who doubles as a deft pass catcher, running routes with rhythm and timing. He capped Las Vegas’ first preseason drive with a 13-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Kirk Cousins, who looked his way often during training camp.
Said offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko before practice Thursday at Intermountain Health Performance Center:
“Mike does a lot of things well, and we try to emphasize what he does well in the run game and what he does well in the pass game. His route running is always improving. His blocking is always improving. Hand placement. All the stuff. Pad level. Just the way he finishes each play with the ball in his hand, I think that’s something that gives us an advantage.”
Also in line for an uptick in production are wide receivers Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor, along with tight end Ian Thomas, who fills Mayer’s secondary role. Janocko said the Raiders, without Bowers, “are trying to come together, jell together, working whatever situation we put them in.”
Perhaps that means tailoring their game plan against Miami toward the running game, which was strengthened this week by Ashton Jeanty’s return to practice after a sprained right ankle. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak is an ardent believer in running the football, utilizing a zone-run scheme paired with play-action passes.
That’s fine by Mayer, who noted that while his skill set fits “in a lot of offenses,” Kubiak’s scheme suits him well.
“I can block. I can run routes. I know the playbook like the back of my hand. I can be a leader,” Mayer said. “Yeah, I think Klint knows exactly the type of player I am and what I’m capable of. We’re putting a lot of good things in, and it’s going to be a fun game.”
As for Bowers, it is not yet clear how long the Raiders will be without him, though Mayer said he’s “attacking” his rehab after seeing him Thursday in the team’s training room.
What’s clear is that Mayer is attacking the opportunity to play a larger role this week and potentially beyond it.
Bring on the Dolphins.
“Regardless of who’s playing or who’s not playing, I’ve got to take my role and I’ve got to freaking do my best to be the best version of myself in that role. What can I do to help this offense win?” Mayer said. “I feel great. I feel really good. The body feels awesome. My mental is amazing. So, yeah, I feel really good. I feel ready to roll.”
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on X.
