Brock Bowers returns to practice for Raiders game against Chargers

Good news from Las Vegas on Wednesday. The Raiders are on the practice field to prepare for the season opener against the Chargers. And top pick tight end Brock Bowers will be on the field with them.

“He’ll be at practice,” Pierce said of Bowers before practice Wednesday.

Bowers had missed practice in recent weeks and there were some concerns about whether he would be fit in time for the season opener. Pierce added that Bowers “will be ready. Well prepared.”

The Raiders selected Bowers 13th overall in the draft in April and therefore have big plans for the dominant tight end from Georgia.

Bowers is expected to start at tight end alongside Michael Mayer, a second-round pick last year. The Raiders hope he gives the team a formidable one-two punch as well as some blocking flexibility in the passing game and the running game.

Pierce, however, would have preferred Bowers to spend most of his time running routes and ignoring the linebackers rather than staying back and blocking.