Michael Mayer should be the second part of a strong one-two punch at tight end for the Raiders this season. This plan fell through when Mayer began missing practice three weeks into the season for personal reasons. And after being away from the team for a few weeks, he was placed on the non-football illness list.
As the team prepares for the first game of the bye week today, Mayer returned to the practice field. His return to training opens a 21-day window for him to come off the NFI list and return to the field.
Mayer was taken in the 2023 draft and some consider him to be the best tight end in this draft. He would still be available at the top of the second round, which would prompt the Raiders to move up and take him at 35 overall.
His rookie season didn't quite live up to expectations as one of the draft's top tight ends. Then came this year's draft, in which the Raiders were expected to make their selection with a total of 13 players. Georgia TE Brock Bowers was still available as the best overall player on the board, so they took him.
Bowers moved into the number one tight end role with the hopes that he and Mayer would become one of the better TE duos in the league. After three games, Bowers posted historic numbers while Mayer only had four catches for 21 yards.
Whatever the reason for Mayer's extended absence, I hope he's back to normal and can start contributing to the offense in the way the Raiders had hoped he would.
