HENDERSON, Nev. — Brock Bowers has quickly become one of the most reliable sources of excitement at Raiders training camp, and Day 12 was no different.
Bowers opened the team portion of Monday’s practice with another impressive touchdown catch, this time working against cornerback Darien Porter in the back of the end zone. Porter had the difficult assignment of trying to stay with one of the NFL’s toughest tight ends to defend, and Bowers once again showed why that matchup is such a problem for opposing defenses.
The second-year star also found himself matched up with linebacker Quay Walker. Walker did a respectable job staying with Bowers, but the tight end’s ability to wait until the last possible moment to reveal his hands and make contested catches continues to separate him from most players at his position.
A nearby official initially threw a flag for offsetting pass-interference penalties on the Bowers-Walker matchup, but the play drew plenty of debate. From the defensive perspective, Walker remained tight to Bowers throughout the play, making it difficult to argue that Bowers created enough separation through a push.
Regardless of the penalty discussion, the bigger takeaway was simple: Bowers made another spectacular catch.
Cousins Finds Mayer and Nailor for Scores
Quarterback Kirk Cousins also enjoyed a productive day during team work.
Cousins connected with fellow tight end Michael Mayer for a touchdown in the back of the end zone, with safety Jeremy Chinn in coverage. He later found Jalen Nailor near the goal line for another score, once again with Porter attempting to defend the play.
The Raiders’ first-team defense had its moments as well.
Safety Isaiah Pola-Mao came up with one of the day’s better defensive plays, making a sliding interception on a deep pass headed toward the left sideline.
Porter bounced back after giving up a couple of touchdowns earlier in the session. Later, he stayed with Nailor downfield and forced an incompletion, showing the ability to respond after getting beaten.
Mendoza Continues Building Chemistry
The second-team offense featured some encouraging work from rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza connected several times with wide receiver Malik Benson, including a touchdown against coverage from Hezekiah Masses. Later, Mendoza found Benson on a crossing route with Decamerion Richardson in coverage.
The developing chemistry between Mendoza and Benson is another storyline worth monitoring as the Raiders continue working through camp and the preseason.
Defensive Linemen Make Their Mark
One of the most entertaining portions of Raiders camp remains the one-on-one battles between offensive and defensive linemen.
Several defensive players won their individual matchups Monday:
Malcolm Koonce drove Charles Grant backward.
Jonah Laulu defeated Atonio Mafi.
Patrick Johnson got past Kamar Missouri.
Gary Smith III powered through Will Putnam.
Kwity Paye forced Kolton Miller into a difficult backpedal.
Tonka Hemingway used a spin move to beat Spencer Burford.
The battles provided another opportunity for the Raiders’ defensive front to showcase its depth and pass-rush ability.
Injury and Attendance Updates
The biggest concern from Monday’s practice involved guard Jackson Powers-Johnson, who left midway through the session with a trainer and did not return.
Powers-Johnson had been taking the majority of the first-team repetitions at right guard. Caleb Rogers stepped in for him and ultimately handled the remaining first-team snaps.
Several other players also had notable attendance updates:
Dont’e Thornton Jr. remained sidelined and also missed the preseason opener against Arizona.
Carter Runyon remained out after missing much of training camp.
Brock Bowers returned after taking a personal day Sunday.
Tonka Hemingway also returned following a rest day.
Noah Brown participated in his first practice with Las Vegas after signing with the Raiders. He wore No. 33.
Raiders Head to Houston
The Raiders now turn their attention toward their next major preseason test.
Las Vegas will travel to Houston for joint practices with the Houston Texans before Thursday’s preseason matchup.
The joint sessions should provide the Raiders with a valuable opportunity to evaluate their roster against another team in a more competitive practice environment — particularly along the offensive and defensive lines and in the ongoing battles for roster positions.
And, of course, Bowers will once again be one of the players everyone will be watching.
If Monday was any indication, finding a way to slow him down remains one of the biggest challenges facing the Raiders’ opponents.
