The Las Vegas Raiders have officially placed starting tight end Brock Bowers and safety Jeremy Chinn on injured reserve, marking the end of their seasons. This announcement comes ahead of the team’s crucial matchup against the New York Giants on November 5, 2023. The outcome of this game carries significant implications, as the losing team will take control of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Bowers, despite battling a knee injury for much of the season, was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl just days before the announcement. He played through a posterior cruciate ligament injury and a bone bruise in his left knee, sustained during the Raiders’ season-opening victory over the New England Patriots. Over the course of the season, he managed to tally team-high figures with 64 receptions, 680 receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns. Notably, he scored four touchdowns in the last four games before his injury sidelined him.
Impact on the Team and Future Draft Prospects
The decision to place Bowers on injured reserve prevents him from potentially breaking the record for the most receiving yards by a tight end in their first two NFL seasons. Bowers needed at least 107 more yards to surpass the current record held by Mike Ditka, which stands at 1,980 yards.
Chinn, who joined the Raiders this offseason after a stint with the Washington Commanders, also had a noteworthy season. He recorded 114 tackles and forced two fumbles over 15 games. Both players’ absences will leave significant gaps in the Raiders’ lineup as they approach the final stretch of the season.
According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Raiders currently hold a 36.4% chance of securing the top pick in the upcoming draft. A win against the Giants would diminish those prospects, adding more pressure to the team as they navigate the remainder of their schedule.
Despite the looming draft implications, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll indicated that he is focused solely on the game at hand. “I’m not really that concerned about any of that, and I don’t think you want me to be. We’re going to go play and play the best we can play and see what happens,” he stated.
Defensive end Maxx Crosby, also named to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl, expressed his indifference towards the draft situation. “Yeah, I don’t give a s— about the pick. I don’t play for that,” he remarked candidly when pressed about the team’s future draft position.
The news regarding Bowers and Chinn being placed on injured reserve was first reported by NFL Network, highlighting the Raiders’ challenging circumstances as they prepare for a pivotal game against the Giants.
