This week Michael Mayer set foot in the Raiders facility for the first time since their home opener in week three. He has been missing since then, first with an illness designation and ultimately was placed on the Non-Football Illness list.
His absence has been labeled as simply personal reasons and his privacy respected by the league and the team. His head coach was certainly glad to have him back in the fold.
“Excited, man. It was good to see Big Mike back, man,” said Antonio Pierce. “He looked good, had a little tan, so I don’t know where he was at, but he was hanging out somewhere good. But he looked good, man. He’s in shape, he stayed out here this entire bye week working out, getting himself back into football shape and around the team, around the building. And then, obviously, when we got together yesterday, everybody’s excited, you heard a lot of knocking. But in the end, it’s just business as usual, that’s what Mike’s about, business.”
With Mayer’s return, he spoke with the media after practice where he told reporters on hand he spent some of his time away back home in Cincinnati, but would not elaborate on the reasons he needed his time away.
He did have some wise words to share about his mental and emotional state and how he’s recovered and ready to go.
Mayer: “The No. 1 important rule is that football’s not bigger than life. It isn’t, and it never has been. … I just needed to figure some things out. That’s what I did, and I’m on my feet again. I feel great. I’m sleeping well. I’m doing all the things that I need to be doing.” https://t.co/i76fP5iCCH
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) November 13, 2024
Pierce seemed to suggest that Mayer will not need any ramp up period outside of the bye week the team just came out of, which would mean Mayer is expected to play Sunday in Miami.
Mayer is expected to provide a boost as the number two tight end along with rookie top pick Brock Bowers.
Someday maybe we’ll get a full explanation from Michael Mayer as to what he has been through the past couple months that caused him to be absent from the team. But that will, and must be, on his terms.
