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
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (concussion) won't play in Sunday's meeting with the Colts. He suffered a concussion in the Week 3 loss to the Washington Commanders and didn't suit up in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears. While the 24-year-old practiced in a limited capacity during the week and carried a questionable designation, he'll need to sit this one out, potentially returning in Week 6 versus the Titans. With Brock Bowers (knee) also "trending toward not playing," Ian Thomas could find himself atop the depth chart. The Raiders also elevated Albert Okwuegbunam from the practice squad, so he may be in the mix for attention from Geno Smith. However, neither player should be considered a trustworthy fantasy option.
Oct 4, 2025 8:31 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (concussion) was limited in practice all week and is considered questionable to play in Week 5 on Sunday on the road against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Starting tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is also questionable after missing the last two days of practice, but he's expected to be active on Sunday. Mayer needs to be cleared from the league's concussion protocol to play this weekend. He suffered a head injury in the Week 3 loss to the Washington Commanders and sat out of last week's loss to the Chicago Bears as a result. Even if Mayer can return to face the Colts, he won't be a realistic fantasy streamer as long as Bowers is active and taking the bulk of the targets at TE. Mayer only caught six of seven targets for 47 yards in two-plus games before being knocked out of Week 3.
Oct 3, 2025 7:35 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (concussion) has officially been ruled out for the Week 4 game this Sunday against the Chicago Bears, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Mayer suffered a concussion in the Week 3 loss to the Washington Commanders last Sunday and was unable to practice all week. The 24-year-old will look to clear the league's concussion protocol next week and play in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts. Mayer will remain involved in the Raiders' offense when he's healthy, but he can't realistically be considered a starting fantasy option with Brock Bowers soaking up heavy targets in front of him. Through three weeks, Mayer has only six catches on seven targets for 47 yards and no touchdowns. Bowers should have a bounce-back game in Week 4 against Chicago against a soft Bears defense with Mayer out.
Sep 26, 2025 5:17 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (concussion) was tagged with a DNP for the second consecutive day while he works back from a concussion. Mayer exited the Raiders' 41-24 loss to the Washington Commanders in the first half after sustaining a head injury and has yet to practice since doing so. With only a Friday session separating him and the team's Week 4 tilt with the visiting Chicago Bears, the 24-year-old is trending in the wrong direction. Fellow tight end Ian Thomas worked in Mayer's stead during their Week 3 loss upon the latter's exit, and figures to do so again if he's inactive this Sunday. Brock Bowers would also be in line to pick up a few extra snaps.
Sep 25, 2025 9:36 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol and did not participate in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Mayer suffered a concussion in the Week 3 loss to the Washington Commanders and is in danger of missing the Week 4 contest against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. If the 24-year-old is unable to gain clearance before Sunday's game, Ian Thomas would become the backup for All-Pro TE Brock Bowers. Mayer remains in the shadow of Bowers at the tight end position in Vegas and cannot be trusted in fantasy lineups unless Bowers misses time with an injury. In three games so far this year, he's caught six of his seven targets for 47 yards and no touchdowns. Mayer belongs on the waiver wire in 12-team fantasy leagues until further notice.
Sep 24, 2025 10:42 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Week 3 contest against the Washington Commanders. He exited near the end of the first quarter and was taken to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion before being ruled out. The 24-year-old finishes this week with zero catches on one target. Ian Thomas will now take over as the Raiders' backup tight end behind superstar Brock Bowers.
Sep 21, 2025 3:10 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (head) is being evaluated for a head injury and is questionable to return to his team's Week 3 matchup against the Washington Commanders. Mayer had one target in the game before getting injured. If he is unable to return, it could mean an increase in snaps for star Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers. Third-string Raiders tight end Ian Thomas could also step into Mayer's role, particularly as an in-line blocker.
Sep 21, 2025 2:08 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer was a savvy waiver-wire pickup heading into Week 2 because star tight end Brock Bowers was questionable to play on Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a knee injury he picked up in the Week 1 win over the New England Patriots. However, Bowers was inactive in Monday's 20-9 loss and caught five of his eight targets for 38 yards. Meanwhile, Mayer once again took a back seat to Bowers in a Raiders offense that failed to find the end zone all night. The 24-year-old hauled in both of his targets for just nine yards against a stingy and stick Chargers D. The Raiders will continue to use Mayer alongside Bowers, but he's a distant No. 2 in Chip Kelly's offense and should only be rostered in TE-premium leagues. Mayer will not be a realistic fantasy starter going into Week 3 against the Washington Commanders.
Sep 16, 2025 12:45 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer could be worth adding ahead of his team's Week 2 Monday night matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, particularly for fantasy managers with Brock Bowers (knee) on their roster. Bowers is officially questionable to play on Monday after leaving Week 1 early due to a knee injury, although Raiders head coach Pete Carroll has said he expects his star tight end to suit up. Mayer logged four catches for 38 yards in Week 1 while sharing the field with Bowers for most of the game. If Bowers is unable to play in Week 2, Mayer could be in line for a significant target increase in a Raiders' offense that logged 34 pass attempts in its first game of the season.
Sep 15, 2025 10:38 AM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer may be due for an elevated workload this Monday night when he faces off against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mayer saw an increased snapshare in Week 1's win over the New England Patriots when teammate Brock Bowers (knee) picked up a knee injury. Bowers was tagged with a DNP on Thursday, and with the Raiders playing on Monday night, it's possible we won't know his definitive status in time for Sunday roster decisions. In the case he can't go, Mayer would slot in as Las Vegas' de facto TE1 and should see a good bit of work in the passing game. If Bowers plays, the Notre Dame product would be difficult to trust, particularly in a difficult matchup. Mayer comes in as RotoBaller's PPR TE39 ahead of Week 2.
Sep 12, 2025 12:19 PM EST
Managers who selected Las Vegas Raiders tight Brock Bowers (knee) in their drafts this year may want to consider the waiver-wire potential of Raiders tight end Michael Mayer, who figures to be the benefactor if Bowers is unable to play Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers. The third-year pro had a nice showing in Week 1, catching all four of his targets for 38 yards after Bowers exited the game. Bowers told reporters that he wasn't overly concerned about the injury, though the Raiders' final injury report will not be released until Saturday and there is the possibility he is not ruled out until Monday, after most games have been played. In the event Bowers is looking unlikely to play, there will be a rush to add Mayer, who has been a capable receiving option in his own right.
Sep 11, 2025 9:50 AM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer recorded four catches for 38 yards in his team's 20-13 Week 1 victory over the New England Patriots. The third-year tight end played 40 out of 63 (63.5%) of his team's offensive plays. Additionally, fellow Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) left the game in the fourth quarter with a knee injury, although Bowers told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero that he expects to be fine. If Bowers were to miss time, Mayer would be a clear waiver-wire target for fantasy managers. Even with Bowers healthy, it appears that Mayer will have a role in the Raiders' offense, although it's unlikely to lead to consistent fantasy relevance.
Sep 8, 2025 10:42 AM EST
ESPN's Ryan McFadden reports that Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer has been a standout in training camp. The Notre Dame product flashed during his rookie campaign, but the addition of Brock Bowers in 2024 was a detriment to Mayer's playing time. While Bowers and new quarterback Geno Smith have quickly gotten on the same page, Mayer has had an excellent camp of his own. The 24-year-old has been an offensive standout since OTAs, per McFadden, who also notes offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has "big plans" for him in 2025. There are undoubtedly targets up for grabs in the Raiders' offense, and Mayer may play a nice role for them. However, that translating to fantasy isn't a guarantee. Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers are worth rostering for now, but Mayer will have to impress in preseason action before he's worthy of fantasy managers' attention in drafts.
Aug 7, 2025 3:53 PM EST
The Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore reports that the Las Vegas Raiders are not interested in trading tight end Michael Mayer. It comes after reports that the Miami Dolphins were interested in acquiring Mayer from the Raiders after trading tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday. Mayer is scheduled to make $1.6 million in 2025 and $2 million in 2026 and took a back seat in 2024 to rookie Brock Bowers, catching just 21 of 32 targets for 156 yards and no touchdowns in 11 games (eight starts) in his second year in the NFL. The 23-year-old Notre Dame product caught 27 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. There have been reports suggesting he'll have a bigger role in 2025 in two-tight end sets in new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly's scheme, but as long as Bowers is healthy, he'll be the second fiddle at the position if he stays in Vegas.
Jun 30, 2025 9:19 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is expected to get more involved in the offense this upcoming season. Mayer looked nonexistent with Brock Bowers ahead of him on the depth chart last season. He finished the season with 21 receptions and 156 receiving yards in 11 games. After failing to trade Mayer, the Raiders have decided to get the former second-round pick more involved in the offense. Mayer has reportedly looked good in camp and has built a solid relationship with new head coach Pete Carroll. It's worth noting that Bowers is going to remain the unquestioned No. 1 tight end and primary passing option. Mayer showed good potential during his time in college, so hopefully the Raiders are able to find a way to get him involved.
Jun 13, 2025 6:15 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is in tremendous shape and has been a standout performer at OTAs this offseason, according to team reporter Vincent Bonsignore. Mayer was a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after a fantastic career at Notre Dame, but he has not had the impact many hoped for when he began his professional career. Injuries, poor quarterback play, and the team's selection of Brock Bowers in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft have led to little production through his first two seasons. Overall, the 25-year-old has hauled in 48 receptions for 460 yards and two touchdowns. A potential Year 3 improvement would be great for the Raiders' 12-personnel groupings, but it would be a surprise if Mayer ends up on the fantasy football radar if Bowers stays healthy. The ideal outcome for Mayer's fantasy value is a trade to another team.
Jun 4, 2025 3:17 PM EST
According to league sources, the Las Vegas Raiders have had discussions with teams who have interest in tight end Michael Mayer. The team's second-round selection in 2023, Mayer hasn't had the type of impact the Raiders were hoping for, which is why they took Brock Bowers in the first round in 2024. Not only did Bowers become a first-team All-Pro in his rookie season, but Mayer had only 27 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games in his first year in 2023. He missed six games last season due to personal reasons and was barely heard from as Bowers excelled. It makes more sense for Vegas to trade Mayer for assets, and since he'll be on a team-friendly deal for two more years, there should be several teams that are interested. Mayer was completely off the fantasy radar in 2024, but he could resurface as a sleeper if he's traded to a team that utilizes him much more as a pass-catcher.
Mar 1, 2025 12:17 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer caught all four of his targets for 21 yards during Sunday's Week 18 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Mayer has been routinely out-produced by Brock Bowers this season, but that didn't stop him from playing 81.3 percent of the offensive snaps in the Raiders' regular-season finale. That represented his second-highest rate of the season, and it showed that the Raiders can have success operating out of two-tight end sets. Mayer finished his second pro season with 21 catches and 156 yards through 10 games, remaining a solid short-yardage outlet for quarterback Aidan O'Connell while Bowers did more work downfield and after the catch. There's no question that Bowers remains the No. 1 tight end in Las Vegas (and all of fantasy football), but Mayer could sneak onto the end of the fantasy radar in deeper PPR leagues next season.
Jan 6, 2025 10:15 AM EST
Copyright 2025 Fantasy Football Calculator | Image Source: Icon Sportswire. Not affiliated with the National Football League (NFL).
Stats powered by FantasyData.com.
