The Las Vegas Raiders have officially placed starting tight end Brock Bowers and safety Jeremy Chinn on injured reserve, concluding their seasons ahead of a crucial matchup against the New York Giants. This decision comes just days before the teams meet, with both vying for a better position in the race for the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Bowers, who was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl this week, has faced significant challenges this season. Despite a persistent knee injury that plagued him for six weeks, he managed to play three games after suffering a posterior cruciate ligament injury and a bone bruise during the Raiders’ season opener against the New England Patriots. His performance was commendable; he recorded a team-high 64 receptions, 680 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. Notably, Bowers had caught four touchdowns in the Raiders’ last four games before the injury sidelined him.
Chinn joined the Raiders this offseason after a tenure with the Washington Commanders. In his 15 starts this season, he accumulated 114 tackles and forced two fumbles. The Raiders’ decision to place both players on IR prevents Bowers from achieving a potential record for the most receiving yards by a tight end in his first two seasons in NFL history. He needed at least 107 more yards to surpass the legendary Mike Ditka, who holds the record with 1,980 yards.
As the Raiders prepare for their game against the Giants, their chances of securing the top draft pick stand at 36.4%, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI). A victory against the Giants would diminish those odds significantly. Raiders head coach Pete Carroll addressed the importance of the upcoming game, stating, “I’m not really that concerned about any of that, and I don’t think you want me to be. We’re going to go play and play the best we can play and see what happens.”
Defensive end Maxx Crosby, who also received his fifth straight Pro Bowl selection this week, expressed a candid view on the draft implications. “Yeah, I don’t give a s— about the pick. I don’t play for that,” he said, reflecting a focus on immediate performance rather than future draft scenarios.
The Raiders will face the Giants at their home stadium, and the outcome will hold significant implications for both teams as they navigate the remainder of the season. The news regarding Bowers and Chinn’s placements on injured reserve was first reported by NFL Network, marking a challenging moment for the Raiders as they adapt to these significant changes in their roster.
