Raiders rule out starting tight end for Sunday’s game against Bears

Coach Pete Carroll said Friday that Mayer, who started the first three games, still had another test to go through Saturday before a determination was made. But the answer came later Friday with the release of the injury report.

Mayer, who was involved in a scary collision last week, is the only player ruled out for the Raiders.

Cornerback Decamerion Richardson is questionable with a hamstring injury that kept him out of last week’s loss to the Commanders, but he practiced in full Friday.

Tight end Ian Thomas is expected to take on an expanded role with Mayer out. Star tight end Brock Bowers practiced in full Friday but is playing through a knee injury.

The Bears have a much longer list of injuries.

Defensive lineman Grady Jarrett (knee), linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) and offensive lineman Darnell Wright (elbow) were ruled out.

Defensive back Kyler Gordon (hamstring), rookie tight end Colston Loveland (hip) and running back D’Andre Swift (hip) are questionable after getting in limited practice sessions Friday.

Getting his reps

Rookie cornerback Darien Porter earned his first defensive snaps of the season last week, replacing cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly for the final 16 plays.

“I thought it went well being able to finally get in there and get my feet wet a little bit,” Porter said. “To help contribute is a good feeling.”

His coaches were impressed by one tackle he made in the run game. Porter, a third-round pick out of Iowa State, corralled running back Chris Rodriguez for a 4-yard gain in the fourth quarter, preventing a big play in the process.

“That was a good experience,” Porter said. “I’m glad I was able to get that one.”

Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham was impressed with Porter’s ability to maintain the edge and make the play.

“I was glad when he got a tackle,” Graham said. “That was very encouraging. Any rookie corner, their first time getting a tackle on that crack-replace, I’m always proud of that. I’m like, ‘Hey.’ Because you try to warn them during training camp and (organized team activities) like, ‘It’s a little different, man.’ … So, I was happy he got that tackle. I was pleased with that.”

Porter has already made an impact on special teams as a gunner, so much so that teams have taken note. The Commanders double-teamed him on their 90-yard punt return touchdown in the third quarter.

Porter, 24, said he knows he just has to focus on his assignment no matter how opposing teams try to attack him.

“At the end of the day, it’s about just taking care of what I need to, and if I do that it doesn’t really matter what the other teams do,” he said. “As long as I take care of my job, everything will work out.”

Time to go

Carroll is confident heading into Sunday’s game against the Bears after seeing how his team prepared this week with a normal schedule.

The Raiders had a short week to get ready for the Commanders following their “Monday Night Football” loss to the Chargers in Week 2.

“This was a regular back to format schedule this week, and it was so much better,” Carroll said. “We have a whole style of how we do it and expectations and standards and all that. We got to get right back to it, and so I’m really pleased with the week.”

Carroll understands the Raiders need to bounce back Sunday. The team doesn’t want to be 1-3 heading into a road game against the Colts (3-0) in Week 5.

“We’ve got to get going,” Carroll said. “That’s all there is to it. We’ve got to get going.”

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