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

No position on the Raiders was expected to be more of 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 will take the field together for the first time in more than two months.

Brock Bowers was the team’s pick 13 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has been on a 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 that should 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.

When 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.

On Thursday, Bryant was removed from the Raiders’ injury report, making him available for the game for the first time since going down with the injury in Week Nine at Cincinnati. And thus having this trio of tight ends available for the first time since September 22nd.

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