Las Vegas Raiders star tight end Brock Bowers didn’t practice Friday for the second straight day with a lingering knee injury.
Yet, Raiders coach Pete Carroll indicated Bowers was being rested and he expects him to play Sunday at the Indianapolis Colts. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. PT. CBS reported earlier Friday that there is “optimism” that Bowers will play Sunday.
Bowers is listed as questionable to play. He has been dealing with the knee injury since the end of the season opener against the New England Patriots. He hasn’t missed a game, but his production has notably dipped over the last three weeks. He has 122 receiving yards in the past three games total. He didn’t have a three-game stretch with that few yards as a rookie. The injury is clearly hampering Bowers, who has been playing with a knee brace. He told reporters Friday the injury has affected him.
Friday afternoon, after practice, Carroll’s availability and the release of the injury report, the team announced linebacker Germaine Pratt will not travel to Indianapolis. No reason was given other than it’s not an injury issue.
The veteran has played 88 percent of the defensive snaps this season and has 25 tackles. Jamal Adams will likely get more snaps Sunday with Pratt out.
Backup tight end Michael Mayer (concussion) and starting cornerback Eric Stokes (knee) are also listed as questionable. Mayer was hurt earlier in Week 3 and Stokes was hurt Sunday against the Bears. They were both limited all week.
Star defensive end Maxx Crosby practiced fully Friday, a day after being limited with a knee injury. He is not on the injury report and is fully ready to play at the 3-1 Colts for the 1-3 Raiders.
Meanwhile, Friday, the Raiders put backup edge rusher Brennan Jackson on the injured reserve with a foot injury. He was limited in practice Wednesday and didn’t work Thursday. Jackson, a waiver claim from the Rams in August, has played in three games. He has played 47 snaps on special teams and none on defense.
Wide receiver Alex Bachman was promoted to the 53-man roster from the practice squad to take Jackson’s place. Bachman was elevated on game day twice this season. He has played 30 snaps on special teams and six on offense. He appeared in six games for the Raiders last season. He has three receptions for 31 yards.
For the Colts, wide receiver Alex Pierce remains out with a concussion. The Colts’ other starting wide receiver, Michael Pittman is not on the injury report. He was limited in practice Thursday with a hamstring issue.
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