The Chargers still have to take care of business in Week 1 vs. Arizona and stay healthy themselves. But they might've just caught a surprising break for their Week 2 contest before they've even played their first game.
The Chargers host the Raiders in Week 2 after they play the Cardinals. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Brock Bowers is now in danger of missing that contest. On Tuesday, Bowers underwent a trim of his meniscus. He is expected to miss "a game or two". Bowers will sit out the teams' home opener vs. Miami.
Raiders All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers underwent a meniscus trim Tuesday in Dallas with Dr. Daniel Cooper and now is expected to miss “a game or two”, league sources told @rapsheet and me. Bowers got banged up “a little in camp” and the injury was diagnosed last week and surgery… pic.twitter.com/42ANGHbYSC
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 9, 2026
The Chargers (might've) caught a big break with the absence of All-Pro Raiders TE Brock Bowers.
The Chargers will likely prepare as if they're still facing Bowers next week anyways. But still, the Raiders' offense will have a lot less bite if he isn't playing. From a gravity standpoint defensively, it allows the Chargers to not sell out on stopping Bowers. Bowers has gone for 50+ receiving yards against the Chargers in three of their four head-to-head meetings.
But the Raiders still should not be taken lightly. RB Ashton Jeanty has since returned to practice after his initially scary training camp ankle injury. They expect better receiving seasons from their younger receivers and still have TE Michael Mayer as depth. That being said, it's a lot less scary for a defense when Bowers isn't around. Or when the teams' top safeties, corners, and linebackers no longer have to be dragged around the field by him. Despite missing five games last season, Bowers still had 680 yards and seven touchdowns.
It also changes the level of freedom the team has in deploying S/CB Derwin James. If Bowers plays, a lot of the All-Pro defensive back's attention will obviously be on him. Without Bowers on the field, there's likely a little more freedom for DC Chris O'Leary in using James at all three levels of the defense.
And to put it bluntly, the Chargers need every percentage point in their favor of wins that they can get in Weeks 1 and 2. From Weeks 3-10, the Chargers' schedule difficulty increases by quite a lot. Houston, Denver, the Rams, Baltimore, Seattle, Buffalo. It is an absolute gauntlet. If Bowers' absence is a contributing factor to the team going 2-0, then so be it. Because if they want to be playoff contenders, they absolutely have to win each of their first two games.
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