There is a chance Brock Bowers could play Sunday for the Las Vegas Raiders just 12 days after undergoing a procedure on his left knee.
Bowers was on the field with his teammates for the start of Friday’s practice, and coach Klint Kubiak said the star tight end would be worked out in the pregame before the Raiders face the Los Angeles Chargers while officially listed as doubtful.
Bowers, who had a meniscus trim last week, was able to get in a limited session on Friday. During the portion of practice open to the media, Bowers stretched and ran on a side field while the rest of the team warmed up.
His potential return could provide a big boost to an offense that struggled to get the ball downfield last week in a 27-13 win over the Dolphins.
The outlook is not as positive for starting cornerback Darien Porter, who has been ruled out for Sunday with a foot injury he suffered in the win over Miami.
Porter has not practiced all week and his absence could clear the way for more playing time for rookie fifth-round pick Hezekiah Masses, who had a strong training camp.
Masses entered the opener in the fourth quarter and played the final 10 defensive snaps. He was tested immediately as the Dolphins targeted him down the left sideline on his first play and he responded by breaking up the pass.
“That’s how it should be,” defensive coordinator Rob Leonard said. “You play like you practice. I was confident with him out there, and he went and did his job.”
Coach Klint Kubiak offered a similar sentiment.
“Zeke was ready for his moment and played good football (Sunday),” said Kubiak, who did not directly identify if it would be Masses or Jermod McCoy starting. “He’s had a good training camp, and there’s a long season ahead, but he’s never lacked confidence.”
Still, Leonard wouldn’t commit to him as the starter. He said several young cornerbacks have been practicing well and could be in the mix for playing time.
That could potentially include the fourth-round pick McCoy, who did not see the field in his debut.
“He’s right where he should be,” Leonard said of McCoy’s development. “Practice is huge, competing, and he’s right in the category with everybody competing to play.”
Aidan O’Connell, who served as the emergency third quarterback last week, missed a second consecutive practice for personal reasons that Kubiak said was a family matter and was expected to leave him unavailable to travel to the game.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
