Raiders TE Brock Bowers left Sunday's game in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. It sounds like he'll be fine, but that issue presents potential opportunity for Michael Mayer, the No. 2 TE. Mayer caught all four of his targets in Sunday's win over the Patriots, tallying 38 yards and trailing Bowers by just one reception.
2025 Fantasy Football Impact
Mayer's numbers are especially worth noting because three of his four catches came before Bowers left the game.
Last season found both guys heavily involved once Mayer was back with the team and healthy. Mayer played 73% of the snaps over the final five weeks, compared with Bowers' 92%.
Sunday's game interestingly found Bowers playing just 15 of the team's 27 snaps in 11 personnel, according to Pro Football Focus. Mayer and Ian Thomas also got snaps in that formation, which includes just one TE at a time.
Mayer will have a tough time delivering standalone fantasy value when Bowers is healthy, but he could be a factor in deeper leagues. And Mayer will present starting-level upside if/when Bowers misses games.
Keep Mayer in mind for leagues where he'll make sense.