Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer remains off the fantasy radar ahead of Week 16 against the Houston Texans. Mayer was productive during his short stint as the team's starting tight end earlier this season, but he fell off the fantasy radar when superstar tight end Brock Bowers returned to the mix mid-year. Mayer has dealt with his own injury problems, too, as the 24-year-old was sidelined for Weeks 13 and 14. In his return to action last week, he played just 19% of the offensive snaps and wasn't targeted in Vegas' Kenny Pickett-led offense. Geno Smith will return as the Raiders' starting quarterback this upcoming Sunday, but that shouldn't change Mayer's fantasy outlook much. He is averaging just 2.0 catches, 15.3 yards, and zero touchdowns in games where Bowers is active.
Dec 19, 2025 11:58 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (ankle) was a full participant in practice on Thursday. This was an upgrade for the backup tight end after he logged a limited practice session on Wednesday. Mayer is working his way back from a two-game absence, and it looks like he should suit up against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15, barring any sort of setback. The 24-year-old is one of the better backup tight ends in the NFL, but he still doesn't handle enough volume in his role behind Brock Bowers to justify starting him in fantasy football. To make matters worse, Mayer will likely be catching passes from Kenny Pickett this week with Geno Smith (shoulder, back) not expected to play.
Dec 11, 2025 10:26 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of the Week 14 matchup against the Denver Broncos. This news comes as no surprise, given the fact that Mayer hasn't practiced since suffering an ankle injury in Week 12. Mayer will miss his second straight game, but head coach Pete Carroll did express optimism that Mayer could return in Week 15 when the team faces the Philadelphia Eagles. With Mayer out again, Carter Runyon and Ian Thomas should see increased snaps. Neither of them is worth a look as a streaming option for Week 14. Brock Bowers is healthy and is the top receiving option in this offense. Mayer has only 22 receptions for 182 yards and one touchdown in nine games in 2025.
Dec 5, 2025 6:27 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's Week 13 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mayer was unable to participate for the entire week due to an ankle injury he had sustained early in Week 12 against the Cleveland Browns. The 24-year-old was quickly ruled out last week after injuring his ankle in the first half of the game. Mayers has shown flashes during a lost season for the Raiders and had seen 15 targets in his previous three games before this ankle injury. In Week 13, the Raiders' offense will continue to rely on Brock Bowers, Tre Tucker, and recently acquired Tyler Lockett to lead the passing attack. It is worth noting that this will be the first game this season in which Greg Olson takes over play-calling duties for the Raiders. Ian Thomas should see an increase in snaps and will serve as the Raiders' backup tight end to Bowers with Mayer sidelined.
Nov 29, 2025 8:12 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (ankle) is unlikely to suit up for Sunday's Week 13 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mayer hasn't been able to practice all week due to a lingering ankle issue. Head coach Pete Carroll said Mayer wasn't moving well, so it seems unlikely that Mayer is going to suit up. His absence won't be too significant with Brock Bowers healthy at the moment. Carter Runyon is likely to see more run behind Bowers, but he won't be worth a look in fantasy formats. It remains to be seen if Mayer will be healthy enough to play against the Denver Broncos in Week 14.
Nov 28, 2025 6:40 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (ankle) was a non-participant in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday due to an ankle issue, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Mayer only played 13 offensive snaps in Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Browns before injuring his ankle and never returning. The 24-year-old's status is now up in the air for this weekend's divisional rematch against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mayer has not been a realistic TE2 fantasy football streamer this year as long as Brock Bowers has been healthy. In nine total games, the former second-rounder in 2023 out of Notre Dame has 22 catches for 182 yards and only one touchdown on 32 targets. If Mayer is unavailable to play against L.A. on Sunday, it should open up more playing time for rookies Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech in three-wide sets.
Nov 26, 2025 7:42 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (ankle) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Week 12 contest against the Cleveland Browns. He exited during the first half and was initially listed as questionable before being downgraded to out. He finishes the game with one catch for 14 yards. Mayer impressed earlier this season while filling in for the injured Brock Bowers, but ever since Bowers returned, Mayer has not been a fantasy scoring threat. Ian Thomas will step up as Vegas' No. 2 tight end behind Bowers.
Nov 23, 2025 5:54 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer has maintained a consistent snap share this season and has flashed the ability that made him the 35th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Mayer is firmly behind second-year tight end Brock Bowers in the pecking order, but he is on the field a decent amount in two-tight-end sets. For the season, Mayer has recorded 21 catches for 168 yards and a touchdown on 31 targets in eight games. The 24-year-old had his best game of the season in Week 6 against the Titans without Bowers, catching five of seven targets for 70 yards. He's stayed involved with Bowers back in the fold, catching nine of 15 targets for 61 yards in the past three games. But the upside is significantly capped in a poor Raiders offense and isn't a fantasy option in most leagues.
Nov 22, 2025 2:29 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is often overlooked due to the presence of his star teammate and fellow tight end Brock Bowers. However, Mayer has maintained a consistent role in his team's passing game even since Bowers returned in Week 9 from a knee injury that forced him to miss multiple games. Over the last three weeks, Mayer has recorded nine catches for 61 yards on 15 targets. While the overall ineptitude of the Raiders' offense limits Mayer's upside, his stable target volume provides a decent floor in PPR fantasy leagues. He's not worth a starting spot in the vast majority of fantasy formats, but Mayer could be a player to monitor in deep leagues.
Nov 18, 2025 9:31 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer lost his starting role in Week 9 with the return of Brock Bowers, but he remained involved in the offense. Despite operating as the TE2, Mayer caught three of seven targets for 26 yards in the 30-29 loss to Jacksonville. Notably, he still played 83% of the snaps as Las Vegas used 12 personnel (two-tight-end sets) on 58.3% of their plays, which is their highest rate this season. With Jakobi Meyers now in Jacksonville, the Raiders are likely to continue leaning on heavier formations, which should keep Mayer on the field. However, the matchup is difficult this week. Denver has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to tight ends, but their strong pass rush could force Mayer into increased blocking duties rather than receiving work. Mayer should remain on fantasy benches in Week 10.
Nov 6, 2025 10:08 AM EST
ESPN's Ryan McFadden writes that both Las Vegas Raiders tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer should see an increase in targets after the team traded receiver Jakobi Meyers to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday. Mayer was targeted seven times and had three catches for 26 yards in Sunday's overtime loss to the Jaguars. The Raiders used 12 personnel (two tight ends) more than any game this season in Week 9. In addition to Bowers and Mayer seeing more targets going forward, Tre Tucker will be the team's unquestioned WR1, with rookies Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr., and veteran Tyler Lockett seeing the field more. Although Mayer was targeted a season-high-tying seven times on Sunday, Bowers still overshadowed him with a monster 12-127-3 line. As long as Bowers remains healthy, Mayer will be a touchdown-dependent TE2 in fantasy.
Nov 4, 2025 12:38 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer hauled in 1-of-2 targets for ten yards in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders were handily out-matched against their division rivals, and have now scored a total of 26 points across the last three contests. Mayer was out there for nearly all of the team's snaps (94%), though they netted just 95 total yards of offense. Las Vegas will head into its bye week at 2-5, sitting at the bottom of the AFC West. However, they figure to get both wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (knee, toe) and tight end Brock Bowers (knee) back in the fold in Week 9, boosting the team's outlook. If that comes to fruition, Mayer should see his role shrink accordingly. If it doesn't, he'll be an intriguing streaming option against a susceptible Jaguars' pass defense.
Oct 20, 2025 11:29 AM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is expected to remain the team's starter in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Star tight end Brock Bowers (knee) will likely miss his third consecutive game, leaving Mayer in line to operate at the top of the depth chart. It will be the second consecutive start for the 24-year-old, who was excellent last Sunday with five catches, 50 yards, and a touchdown. The Chiefs have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends in 2025, but an anticipated negative game script and a lack of many other options in the passing game will likely compel Geno Smith to throw to his primary tight end early and often. Mayer should be viewed as a mid-to-low TE1 this week.
Oct 19, 2025 9:17 AM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is expected to take on a significant role in Sunday's divisional showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. With Brock Bowers (knee) listed as doubtful and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (knee) questionable, Geno Smith may once again look heavily toward Mayer in the passing game. The 24-year-old tight end led the Raiders in targets last week, converting seven looks into five receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown. Mayer has developed into a trusted red-zone option and reliable safety valve for Smith, giving him strong streaming appeal for fantasy managers in need of a tight end. Given the potential for increased volume and scoring chances, Mayer profiles as a back-end TE1 potential in Week 7.
Oct 17, 2025 8:41 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer could see a starter's workload once again in Week 7 if fellow tight end Brock Bowers (knee) remains sidelined due to a knee injury. With Bowers out in Week 6, Mayer recorded five catches for 50 yards and a touchdown on seven targets against the Tennessee Titans. The Raiders have a more difficult matchup in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, Mayer profiles as a low-end starting option at the tight end position for fantasy managers while Bowers is out.
Oct 15, 2025 12:01 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer returned from his concussion and stepped right into a key role for the Raiders in their Week 6 win over the Titans. He filled in for the injured Brock Bowers (knee) and played 92% of the team's offensive snaps, catching five of his team-high seven targets for 50 yards and a touchdown. If Bowers is out again in Week 7, which seems likely to be the case, Mayer will be an outstanding tight end option for the Raiders' divisional matchup with the Chiefs. The Chiefs have been very good against tight ends overall this year, but Sam LaPorta did have a good showing against them on Sunday Night Football, which could indicate a good game is coming for Mayer if he stays so involved in Week 7. Mayer should be owned in all leagues and can be a TE1 if Bowers is ruled out.
Oct 14, 2025 9:34 AM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is on track to return in Week 6 after being a full participant in practice throughout the week. Mayer has not played since suffering a concussion on September 21 but is expected to reclaim the starting role with Brock Bowers (knee) still sidelined. While Mayer doesn't offer the same explosive playmaking ability as Bowers, his steady hands and blocking versatility should make him a reliable complementary option in the Raiders offense. Fantasy managers, however, should temper expectations--Mayer is projected as TE17 this week, placing him outside the starting range in standard leagues. Still, with Bowers' recovery timeline uncertain, Mayer could see expanded opportunities in the weeks ahead and is worth monitoring as a potential streamer or stash in deeper formats.
Oct 10, 2025 9:01 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (concussion) was a full participant in practice all week after being cleared from the league's concussion protocol, and he has been removed from the Week 6 injury report, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. It means that Mayer will play this Sunday in a great matchup against the Tennessee Titans after missing the last two games due to a concussion. Additionally, the 24-year-old should serve as the Raiders' primary pass-catching tight end now that Brock Bowers (knee) will officially miss his second straight game. In his first three games of 2025, before suffering a concussion, Mayer caught only six of his seven targets for 47 yards and no touchdowns, but it was also in the TE2 role behind Bowers. Even though it's Mayer's first game back in several weeks, his expanded role should at least make him worthy of consideration as a TE2 streamer in deeper fantasy leagues.
Oct 10, 2025 6:13 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said that tight end Michael Mayer (concussion) has cleared the league's concussion protocol and will be a full-go in practice on Wednesday, per Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Mayer has missed the last two games with a concussion, but he appears to be on track to return this Sunday to face the Tennessee Titans in Week 6. The Raiders' TE corps was especially thin in the Week 5 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts, with Brock Bowers (knee) also inactive. Mayer isn't really on the fantasy radar when Bowers is healthy, but if Mayer returns this weekend and Bowers misses a second straight game, the 24-year-old would be on the TE2 streaming radar. In three games this year before suffering his head injury, Mayer was minimally involved, catching six of his seven targets for 47 yards and no touchdowns.
Oct 8, 2025 3:29 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (concussion) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 5 contest against the Indianapolis Colts. The 24-year-old, who was listed as questionable, has already been sidelined for nearly two full games and will miss at least one more contest. His absence comes at a tough time for the Raiders, who are also without star tight end Brock Bowers (knee). Vegas will turn to Ian Thomas as its primary tight end this week, but he's not a dependable fantasy option.
Oct 5, 2025 11:35 AM EST
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