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
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