One of the more promising pieces of last year’s Las Vegas Raiders team was tight end Michael Mayer, a rookie second-round pick who showed potential down the stretch of the year. Even though the Raiders drafted another tight end in Brock Bowers, in the first round of this year’s draft, Mayer still looked like a big part of the Raiders offense.
But in the Raiders’ first three games, Mayer totaled just seven targets and was on the field for just 56% of the team’s offensive snaps. Mayer would then step away from the team for personal reasons, with the Raiders eventually placing him on the non-football illness list with no specifics given as to why he was away.
Head coach Antonio Pierce recently said however, that Mayer was close to returning to the team and that time has now come with Mayer returning to practice ahead of the Raiders’ Week 11 contest against the Miami Dolphins, via Shanna McCarriston of CBS Sports:
The Las Vegas Raiders have one of their offensive playmakers back with the team this week. Tight end Michael Mayer, who was the No. 35 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, returned to practice after missing a month due to personal reasons.
The Raiders, nor Mayer, disclosed the reason for his absence.
Mayer was added to the non-football injury list on Oct. 11 and remained there until this week’s return to practice. The Raiders had a bye in Week 10 and will face the Miami Dolphins in Week 11 on Sunday.
Mayer will be a welcome addition to this Raiders offense that needs more weapons to get going. Aside from Bowers, who is already proving to be one of the most dynamic tight ends in the entire NFL, the Raiders have had little else after trading away Davante Adams and with Jakobi Meyers missing games due to injury as well.
Even though Bowers has firmly established himself as the Raiders’ starting tight end, there is still a place for Mayer to come in and make an impact as the Raiders look to salvage what has been a disappointing season so far.
Alexander Mattison excited for Scott Turner to call plays for the Raiders
Michael Mayer is also making his return to the Raiders with some big differences as offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has been fired and Scott Turner will take over offensive playcalling duties. Exactly how that will turn out for Mayer is unclear, but running back Alexander Mattison is excited.
Mattison spoke about spending time with Turner while both were with the Minnesota Vikings, noting that he has called plays in the NFL before and feels he and Turner are on the same page in how the run game can benefit this team.
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