Tag: Michael Mayer

Ballers & Busters for Raiders Week 14 loss to Buccaneers

Going over the individual performances for the Raiders in their week 14 games against the Buccaneers.

The Raiders game in Tampa was like a pendulum. The problem was it swung hard the Buccaneers’ way in the first quarter, only slightly the Raiders direction for two quarters, and then hard the Bucs was again for the fourth quarter.

Ballers

S Tre’von Moehrig

After running through the Raiders defense for touchdowns on each of their first two drives, Moehrig started things out for the defense and made big plays on five of their six straight stops in the second and third quarters.

He teamed up for a tackle for loss on the first stop, had a pass breakup and recovered a forced fumble in the next one, had a pass breakup on the third, He added a shared sack on third down in the third quarter and led out the fourth quarter with coverage on third down to force another punt.

He added a run stuff for minimal gain on the final drive of the game to finish with a team-leading eight tackles, a half sack, three pass breakups, and a fumble recovery.

DE K’Lavon Chaisson

Chaisson teamed up with Moehrig on that tackle for loss to start the defense’s run. Then he ended that drive when he stopped his rush to get in the passing lane on a screen, batted the pass to himself for the interception.

In the third quarter he teamed up with Moehrig on a sack and added two more tackles.

RB Sincere McCormick

He continues to show himself to be the Raiders’ best kept secret this season. His 29-yard run was a thing of beauty. He broke two tackles along the way, including a wicked spin move to put the Raiders in position for their second score.

To begin the third quarter, the Raiders were able to go on a 16-play drive that took over ten minutes, largely on his back. He had three first downs, including on third and one and fourth and one. Unfortunately it ended with an interception.

He finished with 78 yards on 15 carries (5.2 yards per carry).

DI Adam Butler

His sack on a drive in the second quarter helped put the Bucs in third and 23 which led to great field position on the Raiders ensuing possession. And he started out the next drive with a run stuff. And his pressure in the fourth quarter led to a bad throw on third down to give the Raiders one last shot to get back in the game.

They couldn’t take advantage, but he still crashed the backfield to start the next drive leading to a run stuff. He finished with four tackles, a sack, and two QB hits.

TE Michael Mayer

Mayer led the Raiders seven catches for 68 yards. It was a career high for catches for Mayer and his second most yards in a game.

His 19-yard catch put the Raiders in first and goal on their first touchdown drive. On the long drive in the third quarter, he laid the key block to convert on fourth and one and on the next play caught a seven-yard pass to put the Raiders at the ten.

Continue to the Busters…

Raiders strongest position will be at full strength for first time in 2 months vs Chiefs

No position on the Raiders was expected to be more a factor in their success this season than the tight end position. They made it a priority in the 2023 draft, a priority in 2024 free agency, and their top priority in the 2024 draft. But the trio …

No position on the Raiders was expected to be more a factor in their success this season than the tight end position. They made it a priority in the 2023 draft, a priority in 2024 free agency, and their top priority in the 2024 draft. But the trio of tight ends they acquired have barely seen the field together this season.

Friday in Kansas City they take the field together for the first time in more than two months.

Brock Bowers was the team’s pick at 13 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft and he has been on an historic pace this season for a rookie tight end. Or really for any rookie or at any position. But he’s done it without either of the two tight ends who were supposed to make the position one of the more formidable in the league.

Last year’s drafted tight end — who the Raiders traded up to get in the second round — Michael Mayer left after the team’s week three loss to the Carolina Panthers and was placed on the Non-Football Illness list.

By the time Mayer returned in week 11, following the team’s bye week, Harrison Bryant was lost to injury. Bryant had been among the team’s priority free agent acquisitions this offseason after four seasons in Cleveland.

Thursday, Bryant, was removed from the Raiders’ injury report, making him available for the game for the first time in since he went down with injury in week nine in Cincinnati. And thus having this trio of tight ends available for the first time since September 22.

No time like the present as they face the rival Chiefs and their future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce.

Is Michael Mayer playing today? Injury updates for Raiders TE

Raiders TE Michael Mayer has been dealing with an illness. Here are the latest updates.

Three games into this season, second-year tight end Michael Mayer left the team for personal reasons. The 2023 round two pick was later placed on the NFI list which is where he’d been the past four games. He returned to practice this week with the team coming out of their bye week.

TE Michael Mayer injury update

Michael Mayer was officially activated from the Non-Football Illness list Saturday and will play today in Miami.

Earlier this week head coach Antonio Pierce had expressed his excitement that ‘Big Mike” had returned to practice. On Friday, he added that Mayer was “trending up” in terms of the likelihood he would play this week.

“He’ss always been a part of the plan first and foremost,” Pierce continued. “But obviously with losing people through injuries or trades, I think there’s obviously an opportunity there for him. But really, I think just getting him back to par with our team, obviously new offensive coordinator there with Scott Turner and just getting back in the fold, you want to be smart with it. You want to be smart. But obviously Mike is a big part of our plans this year, this week and the future. So, the more we can get him involved, the better.”

Tight end depth chart

Mayer will be the second tight end for the Raiders along with top pick rookie Brock Bowers. Which means the two could both start the game, but Bowers should get the bulk of the snaps and targets.

Harrison Bryant will not play, which means the third tight end will be recent practice squad callup Justin Shorter.

Mayer has appeared in just three games this season, putting up four catches for 21 yards before leaving the team for personal reasons. The Raiders are hoping he’s fully ready to go for the latter half of the season, starting with today vs the Dolphins.

Raiders officially activate TE Michael Mayer from NFI ahead of Week 11 matchup with Dolphins

Tight end Michael Mayer is ready to go for the Raiders as they prepare to face the Dolphins for week 11.

It’s official; Michael Mayer is back. The 2023 second round pick had been on the Non-Football Illness list the past four weeks and hadn’t played since Week three. And today the team officially activated him, making him available for their week 11 game Sunday in Miami.

Earlier this week head coach Antonio Pierce had expressed his excitement that ‘Big Mike” had returned to practice. On Friday, he added that Mayer was “trending up” in terms of the likelihood he would play this week.

“He’ss always been a part of the plan first and foremost,” Pierce continued. “But obviously with losing people through injuries or trades, I think there’s obviously an opportunity there for him. But really, I think just getting him back to par with our team, obviously new offensive coordinator there with Scott Turner and just getting back in the fold, you want to be smart with it. You want to be smart. But obviously Mike is a big part of our plans this year, this week and the future. So, the more we can get him involved, the better.”

Those plans were to deploy a lot of two-tight end sets alongside top pick rookie Brock Bowers. And while Bowers had put up record numbers this season, Mayer had just four catches for 21 yards before leaving the team for personal reasons.

The Raiders are hoping he’s back and ready to go for the latter half of the season, starting with the Dolphins on Sunday.

In a corresponding move, the Raiders waived WR Alex Bachman.

Raiders vs Dolphins final injury report: Latest updates, news for Week 11

All the latest updates and news on Raiders injury report ahead of a Week 11 game vs. Dolphins.

Friday’s final injury report gave us some clarity on just whose chances of playing on Sunday when the Raiders take on the Dolphins in Miami went up or down.

Raiders, Dolphins injury report

TE Harrison Bryant injury update

After returning to practice Thursday, Bryant (ankle) was missing again on Friday and has been officially ruled OUT for Sunday’s game.

TE Michael Mayer update

Mayer is coming off the Non-Football Illness list. Antonio Pierce said he’s trending toward playing, but wanted to be careful with him. He’s officially Questionable and with Bryant OUT, they could certainly use Mayer in this one.

C Andre James injury update

James (ankle) has officially been ruled OUT. Jackson Powers-Johnson has been named the starting center for week 11,

CB Nate Hobbs injury update

Hobbs was carted off the field in Cincinnati just before the bye with an ankle injury. He has officially been ruled OUT. Raiders figure to start Darnay Holmes in his place.

G Cody Whitehair injury update

Whitehair also went down with an ankle injury in Cincinnati. He has been officially ruled OUT for the game. He will be replaced by former starting right guard Dylan Parham who was the team’s starting left guard the previous two seasons.

Raiders TE Michael Mayer discusses return from NFI absence: ‘I’m on my feet again’

Michael Mayer is coming off the NFI list for personal reasons. He spoke to the media and is expected to return this week vs the Dolphins.

This week Michael Mayer set foot in the Raiders facility for the first time since their home opener in week three. He has been missing since then, first with an illness designation and ultimately was placed on the Non-Football Illness list.

His absence has been labeled as simply personal reasons and his privacy respected by the league and the team. His head coach was certainly glad to have him back in the fold.

“Excited, man. It was good to see Big Mike back, man,” said Antonio Pierce. “He looked good, had a little tan, so I don’t know where he was at, but he was hanging out somewhere good. But he looked good, man. He’s in shape, he stayed out here this entire bye week working out, getting himself back into football shape and around the team, around the building. And then, obviously, when we got together yesterday, everybody’s excited, you heard a lot of knocking. But in the end, it’s just business as usual, that’s what Mike’s about, business.”

With Mayer’s return, he spoke with the media after practice where he told reporters on hand he spent some of his time away back home in Cincinnati, but would not elaborate on the reasons he needed his time away.

He did have some wise words to share about his mental and emotional state and how he’s recovered and ready to go.

Pierce seemed to suggest that Mayer will not need any ramp up period outside of the bye week the team just came out of, which would mean Mayer is expected to play Sunday in Miami.

Mayer is expected to provide a boost as the number two tight end along with rookie top pick Brock Bowers.

Someday maybe we’ll get a full explanation from Michael Mayer as to what he has been through the past couple months that caused him to be absent from the team. But that will, and must be, on his terms.

Raiders see return of starting TE ahead of Week 11 matchup vs Dolphins

Michael Mayer missed the past six games for personal reasons. He returned to practice ahead of the Raiders Week 11 matchup vs the Dolphins.

Michael Mayer was supposed to be the second part of a potent 1-2 punch at tight end for the Raiders this season. That plan hit a snag when three weeks into the season, Mayer began missing practices for personal reasons. And after a couple weeks away from the team, he was placed on the Non-Football illness list.

Today, as the team gears up for their first game out of their bye week, Mayer returned to the practice field. His return to practice opens a 21-day window for him to come off the NFI list and return to the field.

Mayer came into the 2023 draft considered by some to be the best tight end in that draft. He would be still available at the top of the second round, causing the Raiders to trade up to 35 overall to get him. A move many believed was a steal.

His rookie season didn’t quite live up to the billing as one of the draft’s top tight ends. Then come this year’s draft, when the Raiders were set to make their pick at 13 overall, Georgia TE Brock Bowers was still available as the best overall player on the board, so they took him. Prompting head coach Antonio Pierce to give Mayer a call to reassure him he was part of the plan.

Bowers stepped into the number one tight end role, with the hopes that he and Mayer would make for one of the better TE duos in the league. Though three games, Bowers was putting up historic numbers while Mayer had just four catches for 21 yards.

Whatever the reason for Mayer’s prolonged absence, hopefully he’s got himself right again and can begin to contribute to the offense in the fashion the Raiders had hoped to see from him.

When might we see TE Michael Mayer return for Raiders?

Raiders TE Michael Mayer has been on the team’s Non-football Illness list the past three weeks and could soon return.

One of the stranger things that’s happened with the Raiders this season has been the absence of second year tight end Michael Mayer from the team. The former 35th overall pick showed up on the injury report Week four for what was being called personal reasons. And never returned.

On October 12, the team placed Mayer on the Non-football Illness list, which meant he would be out for at least four weeks.

That means this week’s game in Cincinnati would be the last he would have to miss, should be ready to return from whatever was causing him to miss time. Antonio Pierce gave an update Wednesday on Mayer’s potential return.

“I think we’re getting close,” Pierce said of Mayer. “I do think we’re getting close.”

The Raiders have a bye week following this week’s game, which would seem like an opportune time for Mayer to work his way back onto the field. The first game he’s be able to play in is the team’s Week 11 game in Miami on November 17.

Raiders place former 2nd round pick TE Michael Mayer on Non-football illness list

After missing the past two weeks for personal reasons, Raiders TE Michael Mayer officially lands on the Non-football illness list

With each week that passed by this season that Michael Mayer was ruled OUT for personal reasons, it got more and more concerning as to what was going on with him.

The 2023 Round two pick (35 overall) was supposed to give the Raiders a dominant 1-2 punch at the tight end spot along with rookie 13th overall pick Brock Bowers. But following the team’s Week 3 loss to the Panthers, he was suddenly missing practices for personal reasons and has was ruled OUT for his third straight game as a result.

No word has been given as to what the issue is with Mayer. It’s personal which can mean any number of things. But for the Raiders, it means he will miss at least the next four games.

Mayer’s absence was one of several strange occurrences with the team that week. You may recall it was the postgame press conference following that Panthers loss that had Antonio Pierce saying some players were making business decisions.

That week, in preparations for the Browns, Mayer didn’t practice and was ruled OUT, Davante Adams had his hamstring issue and was ruled OUT followed by his trade request day after the game, Maxx Crosby missed the first game of his career with a high ankle sprain, and Jack Jones was benched for the first half.

Raiders, Steelers Week 6 injury report: LB Divine Deablo FULL go, in line to start

LB Divine Deablo FULL go, in line to start Week 6 vs Steelers

A mixed bag for the Raiders on their Wednesday injury report. First and foremost, they placed start defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on injured reserve, which is why you won’t see him here. But they also had linebacker Divine Deablo as a full participant for the first time since Week two.

Among those missing from practice Wednesday were WR Davante Adams (hamstrong), DE Maxx Crosby (ankle), TE Michael Mayer (personal), WR Jakobi Meyers (ankle), T Kolton Miller (knee/shoulder), G Jackson Powers-Johnson (knee), and RB Zamir White (groin).

Those missing due to injury for the Steelers included S Domontae Kazee (ankle), LB Nick Herbig (hamstring), LB Alex Highsmith (groin), and WR/KR Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle).