Latest update on Michael Mayer’s expected return to Las Vegas Raiders
After an extended absence due to a personal matter, Las Vegas Raiders tight end and former second-round pick, Michael Mayer, has an expected return date.
Of course, Mayer left the team following the Week 3 game against the Carolina Panthers due to a personal reason, and while we don’t know the exact details behind the personal matter, we do know it had nothing to do with him being frustrated with his diminished role in the wake of the addition of Brock Bowers.
That was confirmed by Your Boy Q of the Locked on Raiders Podcast, who also added that Mayer’s family reached out to the Raiders to notify them that Mayer was going through something “that has occurred in his life before.”
Last week, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Mayer was expected to rejoin the team this week, however it remains unclear if that happened, as the Raiders are on their bye.
Latest update on Michael Mayer’s return
Bonsignore provided another update on Saturday, saying that Mayer is expected back “next week,” which we would assume means when the Raiders come out of their bye in Week 11.
He’s expected back next week https://t.co/STplLAh72j
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) November 9, 2024
Mayer is currently on the non-football illness list but has served the minimum four games, so he is eligible to be activated this coming week. Whether or not he plays remains to be seen, though, but it will just be great to see him back with the team. The Raiders don’t have to rush him back, either, as their season is already over.
A second-round pick of the Raiders last year, Mayer was expected to be the tight end of the future in Las Vegas, but that changed when Bowers was drafted. Mayer has seen a reduced role as a result, while Bowers has quickly become a star and one of the better tight ends in the NFL.
But the Notre Dame product still serves plenty of purpose for the Raiders, as not only is he a solid pass-catcher, he’s also a plus blocker who can help out in the run game. The Raiders will be better off with Mayer in the lineup, no matter what role he serves.