With not much left to play for, the Las Vegas Raiders have decided to err on the side of caution.
On Wednesday, according to Tom Pelissero, the Las Vegas Raiders have placed tight end Brock Bowers and safety Jeremy Chinn on injured reserve.
The decision effectively ends both of their seasons, with a matchup against the New York Giants looming on Sunday that could decide the number one pick in April’s draft.
Bowers is being shut down due to the knee injury he suffered in Week One against the New England Patriots.
Despite missing three games because of it, Bowers still leads the Raiders in receptions (64), receiving yards (680) and touchdowns (7). The effort lead to Bowers being named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl along with defensive end Maxx Crosby.
Chinn was also an effective player for the Raiders in his first season with the team. Signing from the Washington Commanders this offseason, Chinn will finish with 114 tackles and two forced fumbles in 15 games.
While the moves feel like the Raiders increasing their chances of the first overall pick, the talk around the team is that that is none of their concern.
“Yeah, I don’t give a s— about the pick. I don’t play for that,” Crosby said bluntly heading into the game.
The Raiders must now try to prevent their fall to the bottom without two key players.
