Raiders are placing TE Brock Bowers on season-ending injured reserve due to the knee injury that he has battled all season.
Raiders S Jeremy Chinn also is being placed on IR. pic.twitter.com/3mKCYu03aG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 24, 2025
The stakes are sky-high for the 2-13 Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17. They’ll face the New York Giants on Sunday. The Giants and Raiders currently possess Nos. 1 and 2 overall in the 2026 real-time NFL draft order. The loser will almost certainly clinch the first selection during April’s festivities.
Allegations of attempting to lose on purpose will surround both organizations this weekend. Whether accidentally or not, the Raiders fueled the fire on Wednesday. Superstar tight end Brock Bowers was placed on season-ending IR. As was starting safety Jeremy Chinn. The Raiders aren’t exactly prioritizing winning on Sunday.
It’s worth acknowledging that coaches and players don’t tank games, but losing would be in the front-office’s best interest. The Raiders have nothing left to play for but draft positioning. Bowers has been hampered by a knee injury, and Chinn was dealing with a back issue. Bowers and Chinn appeared capable of playing through their ongoing ailments, but the Raiders have zero reason to risk further damage to two important players.
So while the Raiders aren’t “tanking,” they’re not exactly prioritizing winning either. They’re choosing health over competitiveness. Whichever team is slightly less incompetent will win Sunday’s game and take themselves out of the running for the No. 1 overall selection.