Young tight end could return soon
The Las Vegas Raiders are without starting center Andre James at practice Wednesday as they begin preparations for Sunday’s game at the Cincinnati Bengals (Kickoff is 10 a.m. PT).
James had to depart the Raiders’ Week 8 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with an ankle injury. Rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson moved from left guard to replace James and veteran backup Cody Whitehair replaced Powers-Johnson.
The offensive line did get some good news as right guard Dylan Parham is returning to practice after missing the past two weeks of practice and past two games with a foot injury. He was replaced in those two games by Jordan Meredith. He’d be an option along with Whitehair at left guard if Powers-Johnson has to play center for James at Cincinnati.
UPDATE: In addition to James, linebacker Robert Spillane missed practice with a knee issue. He was banged up in the first quarter against Kansas City, but he finished the game.
Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said star rookie tight end Brock Bowers had x-rays taken after Sunday’s game, but he’s fine. Bowers may soon get fellow tight end Michael Mayer back soon.
Pierce said the second-year tight is getting close to returning from a personal issue that has kept him out of the past five games. The 2023 second-round pick from Notre Dame was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list and he will miss, at least, one more game. He has four catches for 21 yards in three games this season.
In other notes from Pierce’s Wednesday’s press briefing:
- Pierce said offensive coordinator Luke Getsy will remain the play caller, but Pierce admitted Getsy must improve.
- Pierce said running back Alexander Mattison will continue to start over Zamir White, who began the season as the starter.