The Las Vegas Raiders elevated tight end Chris Myarick from the practice squad Saturday as Brock Bowers remains doubtful for Sunday’s AFC West matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The move does not officially rule Bowers out, but it gives Las Vegas another game-day tight end after Bowers practiced only on a limited basis Friday following two straight missed sessions. The Raiders also elevated wide receiver Cody White.
The combination of Bowers’ doubtful designation and Myarick’s elevation is the meaningful change from FSN’s earlier coverage of Bowers missing practice. Las Vegas is now carrying additional tight-end depth into game day while its top option remains unlikely to play.
Brock Bowers is trending toward a second missed game
Bowers did not practice Wednesday or Thursday before returning in a limited capacity Friday. The Raiders listed him as doubtful on the final injury report because of the knee issue that required a meniscus procedure earlier this month.
A doubtful designation does not make him inactive automatically, but it signals that the team considers him unlikely to play. Bowers also missed Week 1 while recovering from the procedure.
FSN previously covered Bowers being ruled out for the opener after the meniscus procedure. His limited Friday practice was progress, but Saturday’s roster move shows the Raiders are still preparing for a game without him.
Chris Myarick gives Las Vegas another tight end option
Myarick was elevated for Week 1 as well and played on offense and special teams before reverting to the practice squad. His second straight elevation gives the Raiders another blocker and depth option behind Michael Mayer and Ian Thomas.
The role is not expected to mirror Bowers’ receiving workload. Myarick’s value is more about allowing Las Vegas to preserve its personnel packages if Bowers is inactive rather than forcing the offense to abandon multi-tight-end looks.
That matters because tight ends are used for more than targets. They influence protection calls, run blocking, motion and formation structure. Carrying Myarick gives the Raiders flexibility even if the passing-game pecking order shifts toward Mayer and the wide receivers.
Michael Mayer would again carry the larger receiving burden
If Bowers sits, Mayer is the most obvious candidate for increased tight-end targets. Las Vegas recently committed to Mayer with a multi-year extension, and his receiving role becomes more important whenever Bowers is unavailable.
The Raiders can also lean on their backs and wide receivers to redistribute targets rather than asking one player to replace Bowers one-for-one. But the offense loses one of its most difficult matchup pieces if the Pro Bowl tight end cannot go.
Cody White also elevated for Week 2
White was elevated alongside Myarick for the second straight week. He contributed on special teams in the opener and gives Las Vegas another receiver and coverage-unit option against the Chargers.
The repeat elevations are a reminder that the Raiders are using the practice squad actively to shape the game-day roster. Both players can revert after the game under the standard elevation process, preserving flexibility on the 53-man roster.
What to watch before kickoff
The final answer on Bowers will come with Sunday’s inactives. His return to limited practice Friday was encouraging, but the doubtful designation and Myarick elevation point toward caution rather than an aggressive return.
For now, the Raiders have prepared themselves for both outcomes: if Bowers is cleared, they have extra tight-end depth; if he sits, Myarick gives the offense another body to preserve formation flexibility while Mayer takes on the larger role.
Sources
- Las Vegas Raiders: Week 2 injury report vs. Chargers (September 18, 2026)
- NBC Sports: Raiders elevate Chris Myarick with Brock Bowers doubtful (September 19, 2026)
- Las Vegas Raiders: Team transactions (accessed September 19, 2026)