Raiders news roundup: Brock Bowers update, Zeke Masses honored, final injury report

The Las Vegas Raiders have won in fairly convincing fashion in their first two games of the 2026 NFL season. But playing a true road game against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3 will be a big test for this young team and coaching staff, so all eyes must be fixed on right now, not the past or the future.

Klint Kubiak's team has surprised a lot of folks in the early going, but it feels like more resources have been allocated toward trashing the Miami Dolphins and the Los Angeles Chargers than praising the Raiders. A big road win against a formidable foe will certainly change the discourse around this team.

With so much going on in Las Vegas, it can be easy to miss things. It's been a busy week for the Raiders, as it always seems to be, so let's get into the latest happenings surrounding the Silver and Black ahead of their next game against the Saints.

1. Brock Bowers and Treydan Stukes injury updates
2. Quick hitters
3. Zeke Masses earns several Week 2 NFL honors
4. Must-see Raiders quotes
5. Must-read Raiders stories from around the web

Brock Bowers and Treydan Stukes injury updates

Brock Bowers

Bowers has missed the first two games of the season after getting a meniscus trim on September 8, but he seemed close to playing last Sunday, as the Raiders worked him out pre-game. This week at practice, he was limited on both Wednesday and Thursday but did not participate on Friday.

"He sat out of practice, all part of the plan there," Kubiak said of Bowers on Friday.

According to the Raiders' official injury report, Bowers is questionable for Week 3.

Treydan Stukes

Stukes left Week 2's game against the Los Angeles Chargers with a concussion and has been in protocol all week.

"He's doing well. He's doing everything they're asking him to do, and that's all you can do when you're in the protocol," Kubiak said earlier this week. "He's listening to the doctors, and we'll get him back when we get him back."

Unfortunately, Las Vegas won't be getting him back in Week 2, as Stukes is officially OUT for Sunday's contest.

Quick hitters

Your late-week dose of Raiders news, injury updates, and other notable developments.

Raiders injury report

Bowers and Paye will be game-time decisions on Sunday. O'Connell did not travel with the team to New Orleans on Friday, but he has not been officially ruled out yet. Nakobe Dean and Darien Porter are both good to go, and Ashton Jeanty is off the injury report altogether.

Saints injury report

Brown is a key part of the Saints' return game, and Miller is a good young player who is part of the defensive interior rotation, but both will be out. Etienne Jr., Young, Sanker and Shepherd are all vital pieces for New Orleans who popped up with injuries this week, but all are good to go in Week 3.

Week 3 captains

Klint Kubiak and the staff have announced the Raiders' captains for Week 3: Tre Tucker, Maxx Crosby and A.J. Cole.

"It's probably never one thing. It's last game's play, leadership throughout, guys you want to build up. It could be any number of things, but every week it changes," Kubiak said on Friday.

Aidan O'Connell's absence tragically explained

Heartbreaking news surfaced via O'Connell's Instagram on Thursday evening, as he announced the passing of his father, Jim. O'Connell has been away from the team since last week while dealing with this personal matter, and while he did not travel with the team on Friday, he has not been ruled out yet.

Our thoughts are with AOC, his family and his loved ones during this difficult time.

From Klint Kubiak:

"Our prayers are with Aidan and his family, and we miss him. Can't wait to get him back. He's a huge part of our team, and we love him."

Zeke Masses earns several Week 2 NFL honors

Masses was rightfully the talk of the town after his two-interception showing against the Chargers in Week 2. But he got some serious recognition as well, earning both NFL Rookie of the Week honors and the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award. Quite the debut in the starting lineup for Masses.

Must-see Raiders quotes

Zeke Masses wasn't lacking confidence after his 2-INT game:

"The coaches gave me an opportunity, and then Herbert tried me twice, and I was just trying to make a play on the ball," Masses told reporters. "It's mine, man. It ain't no 50-50 ball; I'm trying to get every ball in the air. Trying to go get it. ... I'm comfortable out there. I'm supposed to be out there."

It's hard not to love the confidence of the Day 3 rookie, and the hope is that he can keep talking his junk as he continues to dominate on defense. It will be interesting to see what the Raiders do at corner opposite Eric Stokes now that Darien Porter is back, though.

Maxx Crosby speaks on seeing eye-to-eye with Klint Kubiak and how close the team is

"My mind is exactly where Klint's is at. For the outside world, it's amazing. I love seeing the excitement. I love seeing the energy, everything that comes with winning. But we're so early on in the season. We got so much work to do and there's so much more to get done. ... I love the energy in the locker room. I love the work ethic of the guys. I love the communication. The confidence that our coaches are instilling in us. They treat everyone the same. It's [expletive] crystal clear. So far, it's just been awesome, bro. Just playing football, doing what I love, being with the guys. We got such a tight bond and our locker room is just getting closer and closer. And I think that's that's the most special part. And I think that's something that you can't measure."

The vibe is undeniably different this season under Kubiak, and the proof is in the pudding. The approach has been a complete 180 from years past, and everyone seems to be on the same page for the first time in forever, which is refreshing and promising.

Crosby, to his credit, has completely bought into this new era. In the past, fans were concerned that he might think he is above the program, but the veteran is an extension of Kubiak and has changed his demeanor this offseason. He seems even more mature and like more of a role model in 2026.

Andrew Janocko provides the latest on Fernando Mendoza's development:

"Fernando [Mendoza], he just wants to come in, do his job, work, learn from the guys around him, learn from some of the veterans. Coach Sully [Mike Sullivan] and he spend a ridiculous amount of time together, just talking about the details, how he's growing, setting him on the right track, and being ready when his number's called."

Mendoza hasn't really been seen since the preseason finale, but he is doing his work in the dark and developing while the Silver and Black enjoy success. It will take every little thing to get Mendoza ready to be the Raiders' franchise quarterback, and he has not skipped a step or missed a beat.

Must-read Raiders stories from around the web

• Predicting the next five Super Bowl champions (ESPN)

Ben Solak makes predictions about the next five Super Bowl matchups, and Las Vegas makes an appearance - not just because Allegiant Stadium is hosting. This was an interesting read, and fans should love what Solak's crystal ball is telling him... specifically in 2029. And there's a fun easter egg.

• Raiders’ Jack Bech is determined to honor his brother’s legacy in New Orleans (The Athletic)

An emotional column in which Warren speaks to Bech about returning to New Orleans, the city where his brother was tragically killed, to play against the Saints. It'll be hard for anyone in that stadium not to be cheering for the Louisiana kid on Sunday.

• Ranking all 32 NFL starting QBs after Week 2 (FanSided)

Christopher Kline attempts to slot every starting quarterback in the league in order with a two-game sample size, and Kirk Cousins gets put a bit lower than he should be, and behind he who shall not be named.

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