The Raiders lost their star tight end on opening day of the season, and the rest of Wednesday's practice board firmed up. Here's who moved, plus Dr. Deepak Chona's data read on the recovery slate.

Brock Bowers (LV, TE) underwent a meniscus trim Tuesday on the same left knee that nagged him in 2025 and is expected to miss Sunday's opener against Miami, with "a game or two" the early timeline.
My take: Michael Mayer had stat lines of 5-50-1, 1-10-0, 9-89-0, and 3-47-0 in Bowers’ absence last year. He becomes a borderline top 12 TE so long as Bowers is out.

A.J. Brown (NE, WR) left tonight's opener at Seattle in the third quarter with an ankle injury and was downgraded to out, exiting after leading the Patriots with 3 catches for 26 yards.
My take: This did not look good and Twitter doctors are concerned it could be more than an ankle. Won’t speculate further but if someone tries to trade you him, I’d think twice.

Sam Darnold (SEA, QB) injured his right hip on Seattle's opening drive tonight, got ruled out with no timetable, and handed the offense to Drew Lock.
My take: Drew Lock struggled after Darnold went out which gives me concern for all the skill players, even despite JSN still having a strong game off his one big play. Will be a tough season if Darnold is out for an extended period of time.

Ashton Jeanty (LV, RB) practiced fully Wednesday, clearing the low-ankle sprain that nagged him all preseason and locking him in for Sunday against Miami.
My take: A low-ankle sprain carries a much shorter runway than a high-ankle, and full practice two days out kills most of the managed-snap fear. Don’t love playing him this week but if you’ve got him, you’re probably starting him.

Tee Higgins (CIN, WR) was a full participant Wednesday, putting the bruised heel behind him ahead of Sunday's opener against Tampa Bay.
My take: Green light. He's a locked round-3 WR2 (ADP 36, WR18) with weekly WR1 ceiling any time Ja'Marr Chase draws the double.

Elsewhere: Bhayshul Tuten (JAC) cleared his illness and is a clean go; Sean Tucker (hamstring) didn't practice and is at risk of missing this week’s game, while Keaton Mitchell (hamstring) and Jalen McMillan (knee) were limited.

Dr. Deepak Chona is here with a data-driven read on the injuries shaping Week 1 lineups. His full rundown:

Ja'Marr Chase, WR, CIN - Suspect he logs FP x3 this wk. If so, no dip projected.

Puka Nacua, WR, LAR - Not on the injury report. Would project full strength at this point. Mild re-injury risk.

Malik Nabers, WR, NYG - Project initial 80-85% efficiency. Typical WRs ramp to ~90% by 12 months (Oct). Scar-cleanup surgery delays that a bit, and it typically takes ~4 games to ramp targets. Project volatility early, strong 2nd half.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, ARI - Lean playing. Data favors elevated re-injury risk + dip in touches. Being listed as the No. 2 RB strengthens that suspicion.

Emeka Egbuka, WR, TB - If FP in Wed practice, wouldn't downgrade at all. No real info has indicated a severe injury.

Rome Odunze, WR, CHI - Same foot as last year (plantar fascia + stress fracture). Comments suggest playing Wk 1. High risk for dip.

Patrick Mahomes, QB, KC - Playing, likely no limits from the pocket. Data strongly favors a dip in rushing production + efficiency until Dec.

Alec Pierce, WR, IND - Likely playing Wk 1. Suspect he logs FP x3 this wk. If so, wouldn't project a dip in volume or targets.

Tucker Kraft, TE, GB - Playing. Data favors a 6-wk ramp up in targets + snaps.

Deepak Chona is an Orthopedic Sports Surgeon by day, data-driven injury analyst by night. You can follow more of his insights at @SportMDAnalysis.

One video and two reads to lock in your Week 1 lineups.

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