Raiders star listed as questionable after missing 2nd straight practice

Raiders coach Pete Carroll said he expects Brock Bowers to play Sunday at Indianapolis, even though the star tight end missed practice for the second straight day Friday.

Star defensive end Maxx Crosby will play despite popping up on Thursday’s injury report with a left knee issue. He got in a full practice Friday and does not have a game-day designation.

But the Raiders will face the Colts without starting linebacker Germaine Pratt. They did not disclose an official reason for his absence, other than to say it was not injury-related.

Pratt has 25 tackles in four games.

Second-year linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, who has appeared in all four games and has six tackles, probably will start in place of Pratt. Jamal Adams is also likely to see more action.

Bowers was listed as questionable with a left knee injury he suffered in Week 1.

“We figure he’s playing,” Carroll said. “We think he’s playing, but we wanted to make sure and rest him throughout.”

Carroll said there was not a setback despite the change in how the team is managing Bowers’ reps in practice.

Bowers, the No. 13 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, set rookie records for receptions (112) and receiving yards by a tight end (1,194) last season.

He said the plan is to figure out the best way to be as close to full strength as possible on game day.

“Just trying to get everything feeling right so hopefully I can go out there and feel good on Sunday,” Bowers said after missing Friday’s practice.

Bowers has 19 catches for 225 yards this season, but those numbers are propped up by his eight-catch, 103-yard effort in the season opener against the Patriots.

“It’s just annoying and frustrating because I want to be back to full strength and back to full speed and separating from guys,” he said. “I feel like I can’t do that to the best of my abilities right now.”

Fellow starting tight end Michael Mayer was listed as questionable after missing last week’s game with a concussion.

He was listed as a limited participant each of the past three days in practice, but is still working his way through the protocols.

“(His status is) yet to be determined,” Carroll said. “We’re giving him all the time we can.”

Starting cornerback Eric Stokes was listed as questionable with a knee injury.

The team will be missing linebacker Brennan Jackson, who has played strictly on special teams this season. He was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury.

Expanded role for rookie WR?

Carroll said Jack Bech getting only five snaps last week was a bit of an oversight that resulted from certain packages involving the rookie wide receiver not being called during the game.

“His role hopefully will continue to grow,” Carroll said.

Bech said he trusts the process.

“Our coaches have a plan for all of us, including me,” he said. “I’m bought into it, whatever it may be. I’m just trying to put my best foot forward every day and keep working hard.”

Bech has appeared in all four games and has two catches for 33 yards.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.