Bowers on his knee injury: "It's painful, sore, just annoying [and] frustrating."

The Las Vegas Raiders will face the Indianapolis Colts without their star tight end Brock Bowers, who is inactive due to a knee injury.

Why it matters: Bowers' absence significantly impacts the Raiders' offensive strategy as they gear up for a crucial matchup against the Colts.

• The Raiders are already navigating a challenging season and losing their leading receiver creates additional pressure on the remaining players.
• With Bowers sidelined, the team will lean heavily on depth options like Ian Thomas and Albert Okwuegbunam, both of whom have limited experience compared to Bowers.

What’s new: Bowers has been dealing with a persistent knee issue that has hindered his performance throughout the season.

• After missing two consecutive days of practice, he was listed as questionable but ultimately did not make the lineup.
• Bowers recorded just 14 catches for 122 yards in recent games, a stark contrast to his explosive debut where he had five catches for 103 yards.

Yes, but: Despite Bowers’ struggles, the Raiders need to maintain offensive productivity against a Colts defense that can be exploited.

• In the last game against the Chicago Bears, Bowers still managed to lead the team in receiving yards with 46, demonstrating his capability to contribute even when not at full strength.

What to watch: The effectiveness of the Raiders' remaining tight ends in Bowers' absence will be critical in this game.

• Ian Thomas, along with undrafted rookie Carter Runyon and the recently elevated Okwuegbunam, will be tasked with filling the void left by Bowers.
• How well they perform could dictate the Raiders' ability to sustain drives and score points, especially in the red zone where tight ends often play pivotal roles.

The bottom line: As the Raiders prepare to take on the Colts, Bowers' inactivity not only raises questions about their passing game but also emphasizes the need for other players to step up in this vital moment of the season.

• Coach Josh McDaniels will have to creatively adjust his offensive schemes to compensate for the loss, possibly increasing reliance on wide receivers and running backs in the short and intermediate passing game.
• The outcome of this game may hinge on how effectively the Raiders can adapt without one of their key playmakers.