Jan 5, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) catches the ball in the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Raiders TE Brock Bowers sets rookie receptions mark

Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers caught four passes in the Raiders’ regular-season finale on Sunday, nudging him past New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers for the NFL’s single-season rookie reception record.

Nabers briefly owned the record after making five grabs in the Giants’ 20-13 loss at Philadelphia early Sunday afternoon to leave him with 109 on the season.

A few hours later, Bowers shook off a slow start and hauled in all four of his receptions during the second half of the Raiders’ 34-20 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. His 110th catch came on a 21-yard connection with Aidan O’Connell in the third quarter.

Bowers finished the season with 112 receptions, the third-most by a tight end in NFL history. Zach Ertz holds the single-season record with his 116-catch campaign with Philadelphia in 2018.

Drafted 13th overall out of Georgia, Bowers became an immediate weapon for Las Vegas and wound up orchestrating the most productive debut season by a tight end in league history. He set the receiving yards record for rookie tight ends, surpassing the 1,076 yard total set by Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka with Chicago in 1961.

Bowers ended up with 1,194 receiving yards this season, tied for eighth-most in the NFL. He also caught five touchdowns for a Raiders team that finished 4-13 and missed the playoffs for the third straight year.

Nabers concluded his first campaign with 1,204 yards, just ahead of Bowers for seventh in the league, and seven touchdowns. The sixth overall pick out of LSU was a bright spot during an otherwise dreary centennial season for New York, which lost a franchise-record 14 games, including 10 straight losses at one point, also a franchise worst.

His fourth catch on Sunday gave him 108 on the year and moved him past Steve Smith (2009) for the Giants’ single-season reception record.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA;  New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner (20) and linebacker Demario Davis (56) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Raiders’ Brock Bowers sets record for receiving yards by rookie TE

Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders moved past Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka on Sunday to set the NFL record for most receiving yards by a tight end in his rookie season.

Bowers’ third catch on Sunday — a 13-yard grab late in the second quarter against the host New Orleans Saints — pushed his season total to 1,087 yards. Ditka totaled 1,076 receiving yards in 14 games with the Chicago Bears in 1961.

Bowers, 22, set the record for receptions by a rookie tight end earlier this season by eclipsing the total of 86 reeled in by Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions in 2023. Bowers had 101 catches entering Sunday’s game.

Bowers was selected by the Raiders with the 13th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

While with Georgia, Bowers was the first back-to-back winner of the Mackey Award (2022, 2023), which is given to the top tight end in college football.

–Field Level Media

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) runs after the catch against the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders confident TE Brock Bowers (foot) will play Week 1

The Las Vegas Raiders expect rookie tight end Brock Bowers to be ready for the season opener.

The first-round draft pick from Georgia has not practiced for two weeks due to foot soreness.

On Thursday, coach Antonio Pierce said he feels “really good” about Bowers’ availability for the Sept. 8 opener against the host Los Angeles Chargers.

Pierce said the Raiders have been playing it safe with Bowers, a two-time national champion and two-time Mackey Award winner with the Bulldogs. Las Vegas selected him 13th overall in the 2024 draft.

“You gotta be smart,” Pierce said. “Sometimes you gotta protect them from themselves, so that’s all it is.”

Bowers, 21, caught two passes for 25 yards in his only preseason action on Aug. 10 against the Minnesota Vikings.

He racked up 175 receptions for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns in 40 games at Georgia from 2021-23.

–Field Level Media

Apr 26, 2024; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers speaks to the media at Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, NV.  Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders sign first-round pick Brock Bowers, others

Las Vegas Raiders first-round draft pick Brock Bowers signed a fully guaranteed four-year contract worth $18.1 million with a team option for a fifth season.

Bowers, a tight end, was selected by the Raiders with the 13th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Georgia.

The first back-to-back Mackey Award Winner (2022, 2023) given to the top tight end in college football, Bowers had 31 touchdowns (five rushing) in three seasons with the Bulldogs. In 40 career games, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Bowers hauled in 175 receptions for 2,538 yards.

Also on Thursday, the Raiders signed five other draft picks. They are cornerback Decamerion Richardson (fourth round, Mississippi State), linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (fifth, Ohio State), running back Dylan Laube (sixth, New Hampshire), safety Trey Taylor (seventh, Air Force) and cornerback M.J. Devonshire (seventh, Pitt).

–Field Level Media

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of a NCAA college football game against UAB in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

Georgia TE Brock Bowers could delay 40, workout to pro day

INDIANAPOLIS — Georgia tight end Brock Bowers unquestionably is expected to run into the NFL as a first-round pick, but he’s leaning toward staying on the sideline during the NFL Scouting Combine.

The All-American projected as a top-10 draft pick, Bowers plans to make a decision on participating in on-field workouts and athletic testing with his position group before they take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday.

“We’ll see. If not tomorrow, definitely on Pro Day,” Bowers said Thursday morning. “We’ll see how I’m feeling tomorrow. Just a personal fit.”

The first back-to-back Mackey Award Winner (2022, 2023) given to the top tight end in college football, Bowers had 31 touchdowns (five rushing) in three seasons at Georgia. In 40 career games, he hauled in 175 receptions for 2,538 yards.

Former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski is the player Bowers said he grew up watching most. He also studied film of dozens of NFL tight ends during his time at Georgia, where he lined up in the slot, as a traditional tight end and even in the backfield as a running back.

“I loved watching Gronk. He’s kind of like a huge role model for me looking at him growing up. And watching (George) Kittle and (Travis) Kelce,” he said.

If Bowers keeps scouts and general managers waiting for his 40 time and position workout that most expect to be stellar, he’s aware the league might return the favor on draft night. Not out of spite, but Bowers can expect to be monitoring his phone as the pecking order is sorted out at quarterback and wide receiver before he’s selected.

Even so, when he goes on draft night isn’t as vital to Bowers as where he winds up.

“I just want to go to a place I’m wanted and be used and hopefully have a good rookie season,” Bowers said.

During what is a return trip to Indianapolis and the stadium where Georgia won the national title by beating Alabama in 2022, Bowers underwent multiple X-rays and MRI exams that team medical staffs will read to sign off on recovery from previous injuries. Bowers missed a month of the 2023 season recovering from ankle surgery but said he’s fully healthy.

With uncertainty around when he could be drafted, Bowers said he already met with at least 15 teams, recalling formal interviews took place with the Bears, Bengals, Broncos, Colts and met with the Titans, a team that piqued his interest.

“That’s a cool place to live, Nashville, Tennessee,” Bowers said with a smile.

If Bowers opts not to work out at the combine, Georgia’s pro day is an annual must-stop for all 32 teams and is scheduled for March 13.

–Field Level Media

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of a NCAA college football game against Ole Miss in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. Georgia won 52-17.

Georgia TE Brock Bowers declares for NFL draft

Tight end Brock Bowers is entering the 2024 NFL Draft after starring at Georgia for three years.

“Words cannot describe how thankful I am for what these last 3 years has brought. It has been an unbelievable honor and privilege to play for this university,” Bowers wrote in a social media post. “It has given me memories that will last a lifetime.”

Bowers had a breakout season as a true freshman in 2021, when he caught 13 touchdowns over 15 games and helped Georgia to the first of two consecutive national titles.

Bowers injured an ankle Oct. 14 of the 2023 season in a game against Vanderbilt and underwent TightRope surgery. He missed just two games before returning Nov. 11 against Ole Miss. He also missed the regular-season finale against Georgia Tech after tweaking the ankle and sat out the Bulldogs’ Orange Bowl win over Florida State.

In 10 games this season, Bowers still managed 56 receptions for 714 yards and six touchdowns, plus one rushing touchdown. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound prospect has 175 career receptions for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns along with 193 rushing yards and five scores.

Georgia also has seen right tackle Amarius Mims, cornerback Kamari Lassiter and safety Javon Bullard declare for the draft in recent days.

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs after a catch against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia TE Brock Bowers a game-time decision vs. Ole Miss

Whether preseason All-American tight end Brock Bowers plays for No. 2 Georgia on Saturday against No. 9 Ole Miss will be a game-time decision.

Bowers had a procedure known as tight-rope surgery to deal with a high-ankle sprain on Oct. 16. At the time, it was believed he’d be out four to six weeks.

His father told the Athens (Ga) Banner-Herald on Friday, however, that there is a shot Bowers will play in the home clash with the Rebels (8-1). And a chance he won’t, too.

“There is no timeline for return to play,” Warren Bowers said via text message, per the newspaper. “It all depends on how the ankle is responding. It could be this week. It could be next week. It could be the following week. Or not at all. It all depends.”

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said Friday on “The Pat McAfee Show” that Bowers is inching closer to playing.

“I still don’t know that Brock’s completely healthy,” Smart said. “Brock’s in a much better place to be able to go out and compete and be closer to going. We’ll find out game time.”

Bowers, who turns 21 next month, has missed two games since sustaining the injury in a 37-20 win at Vanderbilt.

Still, he leads Georgia (9-0) with 41 catches for 567 yards and four touchdowns this season. He also has a rushing touchdown.

Wide receiver Dominic Lovett has caught 39 passes for 398 yards with two touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) walks off the field after an injury during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia TE Brock Bowers undergoes ankle surgery, out 4-6 weeks

Georgia All-American tight end Brock Bowers underwent left ankle surgery and is expected to be sidelined 4-6 weeks.

Bowers injured his ankle on a designed running play in the Bulldogs’ victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday. Georgia is entering a bye week and returns to face Florida in Jacksonville on Oct. 28.

Full medical clearance might be only one factor for Bowers to consider when deciding when to return to the field. He’s widely expected to be a top 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Bowers is one of several current and former Georgia players who have opted for “tightrope” surgery following a sprained ankle. Tight end Lawson Luckie was hurt in August, underwent surgery and returned to play earlier this month.

Bowers leads the team with 41 receptions, 567 receiving yards and four TD grabs.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) walks off the field after an injury during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia TE Brock Bowers injured vs. Vanderbilt

Georgia star tight end Brock Bowers sustained an injury to his lower left leg during the second quarter of Saturday’s game versus Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn.

Bowers was injured on a designed run after his leg was twisted awkwardly on a tackle by Vanderbilt safety Savion Riley. He limped off the field and into the medical tent.

Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart briefly spoke to Bowers shortly after the latter was injured on the field.

“He was good. He was in good spirits,” Smart told CBS Sports of his conversation with Bowers. “He’s got a little bit of an ankle sprain at the bottom part of his foot, but he thinks he’ll be fine. They’re gonna go X-ray it and check it out.”

The Mackey Award winner as the nation’s top end last season, Bowers had four catches for 22 yards and two rushes for 11 yards prior to leaving the game. He entered the day with 37 catches for a team-leading 545 yards and four touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Georgia TE Brock Bowers has shoulder surgery

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers is recovering from shoulder surgery, multiple outlets reported Monday.

The rising sophomore had a procedure to repair a torn labrum and will miss spring workouts. He is expected to be back on the field this summer, per the reports.

Bowers caught 56 passes for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns as a freshman for the 2021 national champions. He led the Bulldogs in all three receiving categories.

The Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year dealt with the injury during the latter part of the season.

“Yeah, he has had a shoulder for a couple weeks,” coach Kirby Smart said after the College Football Playoff semifinal win against Michigan. “We’ve had him practicing in a black jersey limiting his contact some. But he’s a tough dude, man. He’s a warrior.”

Bowers played in the Jan. 10 national title game against Alabama and caught a 15-yard touchdown with 3:33 remaining, giving Georgia a 26-18 lead en route to a 33-18 win.

–Field Level Media