No position on the Raiders was expected to be more a factor in their success this season than the tight end position. They made it a priority in the 2023 draft, a priority in 2024 free agency, and their top priority in the 2024 draft. But the trio of tight ends they acquired have barely seen the field together this season.
Friday in Kansas City they take the field together for the first time in more than two months.
Brock Bowers was the team’s pick at 13 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft and he has been on an historic pace this season for a rookie tight end. Or really for any rookie or at any position. But he’s done it without either of the two tight ends who were supposed to make the position one of the more formidable in the league.
Last year’s drafted tight end — who the Raiders traded up to get in the second round — Michael Mayer left after the team’s week three loss to the Carolina Panthers and was placed on the Non-Football Illness list.
By the time Mayer returned in week 11, following the team’s bye week, Harrison Bryant was lost to injury. Bryant had been among the team’s priority free agent acquisitions this offseason after four seasons in Cleveland.
Thursday, Bryant, was removed from the Raiders’ injury report, making him available for the game for the first time in since he went down with injury in week nine in Cincinnati. And thus having this trio of tight ends available for the first time since September 22.
No time like the present as they face the rival Chiefs and their future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce.
