Raiders tight end reports full health after knee injury last season

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers said he feels "100%" healthy entering Year 3 after battling a knee injury for most of last season. "I feel great," Bowers said after the team's OTA practice on Thursday. " Bowers said his second season was frustrating because he could not match the production of his rookie year, when he led all tight ends with 1,194 receiving yards.

He played three games through a posterior cruciate ligament injury and bone bruise in his left knee before missing three more games for recovery.

Injury and recovery details Bowers appeared in 12 games with eight starts, recording 64 catches for 680 yards and seven touchdowns. He earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection before being placed on season-ending injured reserve for the final two weeks.

Bowers said he has added preventive workouts in the offseason to stay available through training camp in July. "That's half the battle, staying healthy and available week to week," he said.

Team outlook The Raiders coaching staff has expressed optimism about Bowers' role in the offense. During Thursday's practice he caught a touchdown pass and a deep completion from quarterback Kirk Cousins in team drills. "When you have a great tight end that can do stuff for your offense, that can change games, that can change the way you attack defenses," offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko said.