Brock Bowers (knee) will miss his second game in a row for the Raiders in Week 6, but this will be the first game Mayer has played without Bowers this season since Mayer was out for the past two weeks with a concussion. Mayer looked good in Week 1 in tandem with Bowers against the Patriots with four catches for 38 yards on four targets, and he could be a significant part of the gameplan as the primary tight end against the Titans. I like Mayer as a streaming option in all leagues with Bowers out.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Brock Bowers (knee) will miss his second game in a row for the Raiders in Week 6, but this will be the first game Mayer has played without Bowers this season since Mayer was out for the past two weeks with a concussion. Mayer looked good in Week 1 in tandem with Bowers against the Patriots with four catches for 38 yards on four targets, and he could be a significant part of the gameplan as the primary tight end against the Titans. I like Mayer as a streaming option in all leagues with Bowers out.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Opportunity knocks with Bowers out
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Mayer (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Titans, while Brock Bowers (knee) has been ruled out, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Mayer missed the Raiders' previous two games due to a concussion but cleared league protocol earlier in the week and subsequently logged three full practices during Week 6 prep. He's expected to play a significant role in Vegas' passing offense in Bowers' absence.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Week 6 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
Mayer (concussion) missed the past two games, but he could potentially return to action before Brock Bowers (knee). If that happens then Mayer could be a borderline starter in all leagues if he's the top tight end for the Raiders. Keep an eye on Mayer's health heading into Week 6 against the Titans, and he could be worth adding in all leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Sidelined again in Week 5
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Mayer (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Colts.
Though Mayer was a limited participant in practice throughout the week, he wasn't able to make enough progress in his recovery from the brain injury to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol. Mayer typically serves as the Raiders' No. 2 tight end when he's available, but his absence will loom larger in Week 5 since starter Brock Bowers (knee) is inactive for the first time in his career. With Bowers and Mayer in street clothes, the Raiders are left with Ian Thomas, Carter Runyon and practice-squad call-up Albert Okwuegbunam as their available options in the position group.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Iffy for Sunday's contest
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Mayer (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
The Raiders are listing their top two tight ends as questionable for the contest, as Brock Bowers (knee) is also taking a designation into Sunday after managing just one limited practice this week. Mayer, meanwhile, was a limited participant throughout the week, but if he can clear the five-step concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's contest, he could be in line for a prominent role in the event that Bowers sits. If both Bowers and Mayer end up sitting out, however, the Raiders would be left with Ian Thomas and Carter Runyon as their healthy options at the position.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Limited again Thursday
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Mayer (concussion) was a limited participant at practice Thursday, Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee reports.
Mayer has been slowly working his way back from a concussion he suffered Week 3 versus the Commanders. He's now logged back-to-back limited efforts to begin the week, potentially opening the door for him to clear concussion protocol and play Sunday in Indianapolis.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Won't play Sunday
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Mayer (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bears, Paul Gutierrez of Raiders.com reports.
Mayer didn't practice this week, so his next chance to see game action will arrive Sunday, Oct. 5 against the Colts. In Mayer's absence, fellow TE Ian Thomas is in line to serve as Brock Bowers' top backup Sunday, with Albert Okwuegbunam and Carter Runyon representing possible Week 4 practice-squad elevations.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Stays sidelined at practice
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Mayer (concussion) didn't practice Thursday, Paul Gutierrez of the Raiders' official site reports.
Mayer exited Las Vegas' Week 3 loss at Washington in the first half and eventually was ruled out due to a concussion. Considering he has yet to practice this week, he's trending in the wrong direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears. Friday's injury report ultimately may provide a ruling on Mayer's status for Week 4 action.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Not practicing Wednesday
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Mayer (concussion) is not participating in Wednesday's practice, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Mayer is in the concussion protocol after having been forced out of Las Vegas' loss to the Commanders in Week 3 early, and he hasn't yet progressed to the stage that would allow him limited on-field work at practice. If he's unable to gain full clearance ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears, Ian Thomas will get a chance to work as the No. 2 tight end behind Brock Bowers.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Won't return Sunday
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Mayer (concussion) won't return to Sunday's game against the Commanders.
Upon his exit from the contest, Mayer was reported by the team as being evaluated for a head injury and questionable to return. Now that it's been confirmed that the tight end sustained a concussion, he'll need to advance through the NFL's concussion protocol in order to have a chance to suit up next Sunday against the Bears.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Nabs two receptions Monday
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Mayer has two receptions on as many targets for nine yards in Monday's 20-9 loss to the Chargers.
Mayer was likely swooped up by concerned Brock Bowers (knee) managers this weekend after the star tight end was in jeopardy of missing Monday's contest. The latter wound up suiting up and playing his regular allotment of snaps, limiting Mayer to his usual backup role and marginal production. With Bowers finishing Monday's contest without issue, Mayer will return to fantasy irrelevance Week 3.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Week 2 Waiver Priority List
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Keep an eye on the health for Brock Bowers (knee), and hopefully he'll be fine for Week 2 against the Chargers. If Bowers is out then Mayer could step into a bigger role, and he also did well in Week 1 at New England when Bowers was healthy with four catches for 38 yards on four targets. Mayer is worth a speculative add in all leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: No end zone trips in 2024
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Mayer caught all four of his targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Chargers.
He concluded the 2024 season with 21 receptions for 156 yards on 32 targets across 11 games. Mayer appeared in the Raiders' final eight contests of the season after missing Weeks 4 through 9 due to personal reasons, and his return was highlighted by a seven-catch, 68-yard performance Week 14 at Tampa Bay. The 2023 second-rounder selection's fantasy ceiling was limited by the emergence of fellow tight end Brock Bowers, who set multiple rookie records en route to a 112-1,194-5 receiving line on 153 targets in 17 games. Mayer has two years remaining with the Raiders on his own rookie contract, but given Bowers' dominance and the fact that Las Vegas' current regime didn't draft Mayer, the Notre Dame product could be a valuable trade candidate this offseason.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Nabs one catch in Week 13 loss
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Mayer recorded one reception (on two targets) for five yards in Friday's Week 13 loss to the Chiefs.
Mayer logged 62 percent of Las Vegas' offensive snaps -- his highest count since returning from a six-game absence Week 11 -- but he wasn't able to do much in the close contest. He's caught just four passes for 21 yards over three contests since returning from the hiatus, so he's not on the fantasy radar as the Raiders' No. 2 tight end. Meanwhile, rookie Brock Bowers has gone over 125 receiving yards in two of his past three games, further cementing his already tight grasp on his role as the team's most dangerous pass catcher.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Pair of receptions in loss
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Mayer caught two passes on as many targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 29-19 loss to the Broncos.
In his second game back from a six-week absence, Mayer played 34 of a possible 77 offensive snaps behind Brock Bowers, who saw double-digit targets for a second straight contest. Mayer continues to serve as the No. 2 TE behind the standout rookie in an offense that will have a new signal caller at the helm in Week 13 against Kansas City after Gardner Minshew fractured his collarbone during Sunday's loss.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Playing for first time since Week 3
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Mayer (personal) is active for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.
Mayer had been listed as questionable heading into the weekend, but after practicing fully Wednesday through Friday and then being reinstated from the reserve/non-football illness list Saturday, his availability for Sunday's contest never appeared to be in much jeopardy. He'll be suiting up for the first time since Week 3, after having missed the Raiders' last six games prior to the team's Week 10 bye while tending to a personal matter. With fellow tight end Harrison Bryant (ankle) sitting out Sunday, look for Mayer to serve as the clear No. 2 option behind standout rookie Brock Bowers. Over his first three appearances of 2024, Mayer's snap shares ranged between 49 and 63 percent, with the 23-year-old producing a 4-21-0 receiving line on seven targets.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Could be nearing return
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Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Wednesday that he thinks Mayer (personal) is "getting close" to a return, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.
Mayer has been away from the team since late September and was placed on the non-football illness list Oct. 11. He's eligible to return Week 11 following the Raiders' Week 10 bye, but it isn't yet clear if that will happen even with Pierce's recent optimism.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Moves to reserve/NFI
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The Raiders placed Mayer (personal) on the reserve/non-football illness list Friday.
Mayer has been away from the team since at least Sept. 26 as he tends to a personal matter that has sidelined him the last two games and will keep him out through the Raiders' Week 10 bye. He'll be first eligible to get back on the active roster Sunday, Nov. 17 at Miami, but in the meantime, Harrison Bryant and John Samuel Shenker will handle the TE reps that don't go to rookie sensation Brock Bowers.
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Raiders' Michael Mayer: Away from team still
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Mayer (personal) remains away from the Raiders ahead of Wednesday's practice, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.
Mayer missed the past two games and appears in danger of missing another this Sunday against the Steelers. Harrison Bryant has taken on more playing time in Mayer's absence, while Brock Bowers is still dominating the tight-end targets but hasn't gotten much of a playing-time boost.
