Brock Bowers returned to practice on Saturday, signaling he’s on track for Monday night against the Chargers and giving Las Vegas a major offensive spark after his knee issue last week. If he plays, the Raiders’ aerial attack gets a substantial boost, with a healthy ceiling for fantasy managers. Jackson Powers-Johnson’s concussion casts doubt on the line, potentially elevating Alex Cappa to starter duties. Elandon Roberts’ return strengthens the defense, while the Week 1 win over New England adds context for a primetime duel in Las Vegas.

Injury updates shape the fantasy landscape: Bowers active would tilt targets toward the star tight end, Powers-Johnson’s status could shift interior protection and run blocking, and Roberts’ return reinforces a defense that could foster more stops and quicker possessions. With the Chargers as the opponent, this Monday matchup carries high upside for LV’s fantasy upside if health aligns.

Brock Bowers exploded for 103 yards on five catches in Week 1 before leaving with a knee issue that required on-site evaluation. The Raiders removed him for the rest of the game, and tests will reveal the seriousness and timeline for his return. The injury reshapes the Raiders’ aerial plan as they lean on run-heavy concepts and their remaining weapons.

In Bowers’ absence, Michael Mayer is primed for a bigger target share, while Elandon Roberts’ sprained elbow adds to the team’s highlighted concerns. The update streamlines fantasy pivots toward Mayer and raises questions about the Raiders’ Week 2 approach while the knee tests are pending results.

Week 1’s Patriots-Raiders tilt features a rare cross-team tie-in: nine players once wore both uniforms, shaping Week 1 depth charts and fantasy upside. Jakobi Meyers anchors the Raiders’ passing game while Mack Hollins, Austin Hooper, Thayer Munford Jr., Ben Brown, K’Lavon Chaisson and Robert Spillane bring Patriots familiarity to the field; Antonio Mafi, Adam Butler and Elandon Roberts fill Raiders’ interior or edge roles with veteran experience.

Fantasy takeaway centers on Hollins and Hooper as Week 1 safety valves for New England, Meyers as a high-floor threat for Las Vegas, and Chaisson/Spillane as opportunistic depth pieces. Monitor practice-squad movements and how both teams deploy these crossover veterans in the opener for immediate value and rostering leverage.

Las Vegas Week 1 vs New England highlights a transformed defense after a mass offseason exodus, with Elandon Roberts anchoring a deeper, more physical linebacker corps alongside Devin White, Germaine Pratt, and Tommy Eichenberg. Week 1 tests how well the Raiders’ revamped front seven can corral run-heavy Patriots attack and keep pass plays in front of them.

Roberts’ routine-focused mindset and the Texas-bred group’s chemistry signal a faster, tougher unit. This overhaul will immediately shape Raiders fantasy value at linebacker and could shift fantasy expectations for Raiders defenders entering Week 1.