Las Vegas Raiders Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel announced Wednesday that RB Raheem Mostert will miss Thursday night's game against the Bills because of a chest injury. That leaves the backfield to De'Von Achane (if he plays) and Jeff Wilson Jr. -- and likely means Miami will activate rookie RB Jaylen Wright.

Rookie Raiders TE Brock Bowers led the Raiders catching six of eight targets for 58 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1. Bowers only played 68% of the Raiders' offensive snaps, but still beat out both WRs Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers in targets and catches.

Raiders TE Brock Bowers (foot) is not listed on the final Week 1 injury report. He was limited on Wednesday and Thursday but a full-go in Friday's practice. The team never expressed any concern over this foot issue, and we’re not expecting it to be a factor in Sunday’s opener vs. the Chargers.

The Raiders have ruled Edge Malcolm Koonce out for Sunday's opener against the Chargers because of a knee injury he suffered in Thursday's practice. HC Antonio Pierce refused to give any more details about the injury while talking to the media Friday. We'll see whether this issue will sideline Koonce beyond Week 1. His absence obviously helps the Chargers offfense, though not enough to alter our Week 1 rankings. It should also mean a start for either Janarius Robinson or 2023 first-round pick Tyree Wilson. If Wilson doesn't play meaningful snaps in this game, it'll be a pretty bad sign for his 2024 outlook (and beyond).

Raiders TE Brock Bowers (foot) was limited in Wednesday's practice. The team has downplayed this issue, but it's been lingering for over two weeks now. The rookie seems on track to play vs. the Chargers on Sunday, but he'd be a more comfortable fantasy play with at least one full practice on Thursday or Friday.

Eagles LB Devin White will not travel with the team for Friday's game against the Packers in Brazil. That marked a downgrade in his status after Philly listed White as a limited participant Tuesday. White's inactive status should leave Nakobe Dean and Zack Baun as the LB starters against Green Bay.

Raiders TE Brock Bowers is currently sidelined with a sore foot, according to The Athletic's Vic Tafur. The rookie missed Saturday's preseason game and remained sidelined for Tuesday's practice. There's been no update from the team on the extent of Bowers' injury or his timeline for return.

Raiders starters played 14 snaps in Saturday's preseason opener against the Vikings, and both TEs spent most of that on the field. Michael Mayer played 12 of 14 snaps, ran six routes and drew two targets, according to Pro Football Focus. Rookie Brock Bowers played 11 snaps, ran five routes and drew two targets. And the Raiders moved him around. PFF counted six snaps in a "traditional" TE position, two at outside receiver, one in the slot, and two in the backfield. That aligns with how Raiders coaches have discussed using the first-round pick -- as well as the stated plan to deploy two TEs often.

Raiders HC Antonio Pierce says WR Jakobi Meyers has "really, really, really stepped up his game," according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "Since the offseason, he's been lights out."

Seahawks QB Geno Smith returned to the field Monday after missing four practices with knee and hip issues.

According to The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed, the Raiders have "usually" been lining up in "heavy sets" on offense, meaning multiple TEs on the field at the same time. That makes sense given the team added first-round rookie Brock Bowers to 2023 second-rounder Michael Mayer at the position. The team also sports lackluster WR talent behind Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers.

Seahawks QB Geno Smith plans to use his legs a little bit more to add an extra element to what defenses have to account for. Last year, Smith rushed for 155 yards on 37 carries. In 2022, he ran for 366 yards.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that testing on Seahawks QB Geno Smith's knee and hip "did not reveal anything significant" and that he "shouldn't miss any time."

Seahawks QB Geno Smith missed practice Wednesday and Thursday. HC Mike Macdonald said afterward that Smith is "working through a couple things" and that he'll get imaging on knee and hip issues Thursday night.

Raiders RB Dylan Laube has impressed the coaching staff early in camp. HC Antonio Pierce called him "special."

The Raiders drafted TE Brock Bowers 13th overall, which says plenty about how much they like his talent. But that doesn't guarantee he'll get enough playing time to produce right away. According to The Athletic's Tashan Reed, new OC Luke Getsy's "run-first offense asks a lot out of tight ends in the run game, so Bowers will have to make strides in that area to stay on the field."

The Raiders expect WR Tre Tucker to "take a big leap as their starting slot," per The Athletic's Tashan Reed. A third-round pick in 2023, Tucker managed just 19 catches, 331 yards, and 2 TDs as a rookie. At 5'9 and 185 pounds, Tucker brings exciting speed (4.40 forty time; 1.48 ten-yard split). This offseason, the Raiders added Brock Bowers to an offense that already includes Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers. Bowers is expected to see a good chunk of his snaps out of the slot.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler believes Aidan O'Connell "probably has the slight edge right now" in the Raiders' QB competition against Gardner Minshew. Fowler calls it "a real battle."

ESPN's David Newton says Panthers TE Ian Thomas "has stolen the spotlight [this spring] at a position that is featured in Dave Canales' passing game." The Panthers ranked just 28th in total TE receptions last season (59), with Tommy Tremble's 23 catches leading the group -- and ranking just sixth on the team. Thomas managed only 5 receptions on 9 targets over 12 games after getting a contract extension last offseason. Thomas has 116 career receptions through six years with the Panthers. But the 49 targets and 36 catches of his rookie year remain career highs. He hasn't topped 31 targets, 21 receptions, or 197 yards in a season since.

The Raiders selected New Hampshire RB Dylan Laube in Round 6 of the NFL Draft. Including a 2018 redshirt, Laube spent six seasons at New Hampshire. He'll turn 25 in December, making him one of the oldest prospects in the class. Not ideal – but the production speaks for itself. Playing against FCS competition, Laube led the nation in all-purpose yards per game in 2022 (194.3). Included in there: Three games north of 200 rushing/receiving yards, including a video game-like 12-295-2 receiving line against Central Michigan. Overall, he excelled as a receiver with 49 catches – good for second on the team. Per The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Laube passed on transfer opportunities (and NIL deals) ahead of last fall. Still, his workload dropped (16 carries per game vs. 20.4), and he declined in yards per carry, yards after contact per attempt, and forced missed-tackle rate. Known as a high character kid, Laube ultimately wins with quick feet and a versatile skill set. He’s racked up a nation-leading 117 catches over the past two seasons. Going in the late sixth round is a bad sign, but Laube at least landed in a Raiders backfield with only Zamir White, Alexander Mattison, and Ameer Abdullah. We’ll see if he can push Abdullah for a passing-down role. Laube isn’t worth a pick in early best-ball drafts but is a viable flier in deeper dynasty leagues.