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Mayer is projected to return to a No. 2 role in Sunday's game against the Saints due to Brock Bowers (knee) being ruled active for the contest.
Mayer filled in for his star teammate over the first two games of the season, serving as a solid complementary option for Kirk Cousins while generating a 9-55-0 line on 11 targets. However, Bowers' availability Sunday naturally relegates Mayer back to his customary backup role, one in which he may find targets hard to come by against New Orleans.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Three grabs in Week 2 upset
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Mayer brought in three of four targets for 23 yards in the Raiders' 26-14 win over the Chargers on Sunday.
Mayer served as the No. 1 tight end for the second straight game to open the season due to Brock Bowers' (knee) absence. Mayer played a complementary and mostly short-area role as expected, but through his two starts, he's posted a serviceable a 9-55-0 line on 11 targets. Bowers reportedly could be healthy enough to play in a Week 3 road matchup against the Saints, a development that would relegate Mayer to his usual No. 2 role.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Six catches in top TE role
Rotowire
Mayer brought in six of seven targets for 32 yards in the Raiders' 27-13 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.
Filling the No. 1 tight end role due to Brock Bowers (knee) being sidelined, Mayer set the pace for the Raiders in targets while also tying for the team lead in receptions. Mayer gained 14 of his yards on one catch, so he was mired in an extreme short-area role for the majority of the afternoon. Nevertheless, he's proven capable of offering useful production as Bowers' fill-in on multiple occasions, although Mayer could revert to his usual reserve role in light of reports that Bowers could be ready for his season debut as early as next Sunday's Week 2 road matchup against the Chargers.
Raiders' Michael Mayer: Gets three-year extension with Las Vegas
Rotowire
Mayer signed a three-year, $45 million contract extension with the Raiders on Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports.
The deal includes $30 million guaranteed, and the $15 million APY ranks fourth among current tight ends. Mayer has operated as the Raiders' TE2 for the past couple of seasons, but the fourth-year pro is expected to operate in an expanded role Sunday against the Dolphins in the absence of Brock Bowers, who is expected to miss at least one or two games after undergoing a meniscus trim procedure Tuesday. Mayer finished the 2025 regular season with 35 catches (on 50 targets) for 328 yards and a touchdown across 13 games.
Raiders' Michael Mayer: Likely to start at TE for Raiders in Week 1
Rotowire
Mayer appears lined up to take on a pronounced role as the Raiders' top tight end in Sunday's season opener against the Dolphins after Brock Bowers underwent a meniscus trim Tuesday and is expected to be out for "a game or two," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Bowers missed five games in 2025 due to a PCL injury and bone bruise in his left knee, and Mayer suited up in four of those contests and logged 90-plus-percent snap shares in all of them. In those four games, Mayer put together an 18-196-1 receiving line on 24 targets, a level of production that could make him an appealing lineup option in both DFS and season-long leagues in Week 1.
Mayer caught both of his targets for eight yards in Thursday night's 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers.
Mayer had a quick night, acquiring both receptions on the Raiders' second offensive drive of the game. The No. 2 tight end behind Brock Bowers will see the most usage in 12-personnel packages as a supplemental blocker and pass catcher throughout the 2026 season.
Mayer did not play in Thursday's 22-20 preseason loss to the Texans.
Mayer has fully recovered from the nose injury that plagued him in early August, but the tight end remained sidelined during Thursday's contest. The 2023 second-rounder joined fellow tight end Brock Bowers on the sideline Thursday, and it appears unlikely he will play any more snaps until the regular season commences.
Mayer (nose) returned to practice Thursday, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Mayer suffered a nose injury during Monday's session, but he's back at practice and thus slated to continue to work behind top TE Brock Bowers. Though Bowers will no doubt see heavy volume this coming season, Mayer also figures to make his mark in the two-TE formations the Raiders figure to utilize regularly, with their WR corps very much a work in progress.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Not practicing Tuesday
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Mayer (nose) isn't practicing Tuesday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Mayer suffered a nose injury during Monday's practice, and while coach Klint Kubiak noted afterward that the tight end should be fine, he's not in uniform for Tuesday's session. Mayer thus falls into the day-to-day category in advance of the Raiders' Aug 13 preseason opener against the Cardinals.
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