The Las Vegas Raiders have officially shut down Tight end Brock Bowers for the remainder of the 2025 season. The team announced on Christmas Eve that both Bowers and Safety Jeremy Chinn are done for the year. This move comes just days before a Week 17 clash with the New York Giants, a game that’s less about playoff contention and more about who gets dibs on the No. 1 overall draft pick.
A Season to Forget (But Not Before the Pro Bowl)
Let’s be real: Bowers’ sophomore campaign wasn’t exactly the encore performance Raider Nation was hoping for. After exploding onto the scene as a rookie, this year felt a bit like watching a Ferrari try to drive through a mud pit. He’s been battling a knee injury since Week 1.
Despite playing on what I can only assume was a knee held together by tape and sheer willpower, Bowers still managed to lead the team with 64 catches, 680 yards, and 7 touchdowns. And here’s the kicker: he was still named to the Pro Bowl this week. Even on one leg, in an offense struggling to score more than 14 points a game, Bowers is still considered one of the best in the business. That speaks volumes about his talent, or perhaps the lack thereof elsewhere in the league at the position.
Why Pull the Plug Now?
So, why stop now with only two games left? It’s simple risk management. With the playoffs out of reach, there is zero incentive to trot your franchise cornerstone out there to risk further injury. The Raiders are sitting at a dismal 2-13, and frankly, the only thing they’re competing for is draft positioning.
By placing him on IR now, the Raiders ensure Bowers gets a head start on rehab. The goal is to have him 100% ready to roll for 2026, rather than limping into the offseason. It is the smart play, even if it makes the product on the field for the next two weeks about as exciting as watching paint dry.
The Jeremy Chinn Factor and What’s Next
It wasn’t just Bowers packing it in. Safety Jeremy Chinn, who has been a tackling machine with 114 stops this year, is also hitting the shelf with a back injury. Chinn has been a bright spot on a defense that has seen better days, so his absence will definitely be felt as the Raiders try to show some fight.
Looking ahead, Michael Mayer will step into the TE1 role. It’s a chance for him to show what he’s got, but let’s be honest: replacing Bowers is a tall order. As for the Raiders, all eyes turn to the “Tank Bowl” against the Giants. A loss brings them one step closer to the top pick, which might be the only win fans get this season.
