Raiders report: Tight end set to return from extended absence Sunday

Tight end Michael Mayer will likely play for the Raiders when they face the Dolphins on the road Sunday, sources close to the team confirmed.

Coach Antonio Pierce said before Friday’s practice Mayer was trending toward a return as long as he had a good workout. That appears to be the case.

Mayer hasn’t played since Week 3. He was away from the team for personal reasons until being designated to return to practice Tuesday.

Mayer, who was a full participant in all three practices this week, gives the Raiders another option in the passing game. He should also form a dynamic tight end duo with rookie Brock Bowers, the 13th overall pick in April’s draft.

“(Mayer has) always been part of the plan, first and foremost,” Pierce said. “But with losing people through injuries or trades, I think there is an opportunity there for him. Just getting him back to (practice) with our team and getting back in the fold and with a new offensive coordinator, we want to be smart with it. But Mike is a big part of our plans this week, this year and our future. So the more we can get him involved, the better.”

Mayer was listed as questionable on the Raiders’ injury report Friday, but he should be good to go.

It’s an important development for the team because tight end Harrison Bryant is out with an ankle injury. Cornerback Nate Hobbs, center Andre James and guard Cody Whitehair are also out with ankle injuries.

The Raiders were down to five healthy active offensive linemen in their last game against Cincinnati on Nov. 3 and may have to make some roster adjustments before Sunday’s game.

“That’s why we have so many guys on the practice squad,” Pierce said. “If (James and Whitehair) are not able to go, we have to go to our (depth). We’ll see today, but it doesn’t look good for them.”

Rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson will start at center Sunday, with Dylan Parham at right guard and Jordan Meredith at left guard.

Pierce said Meredith deserves more credit for the work he’s done filling in the last few weeks.

“He’s done a hell of a job and the way he’s been playing, he’s earned the right to be a starter going forward,” Pierce said. “So you feel comfortable with the guys you got there. You just hate that we keep changing all these pieces along the offensive line, because at some point, you’d like just to have five guys there, continuity, chemistry. That’s really the glue to our team, when you can have that.”

All that mixing and matching has made communication on the offensive line a challenge. Both Pierce and interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner have talked about trying to fix those issues to spark the team’s ineffective running game.

It’s interim offensive line coach Joe Philbin’s top priority.

“I think he has done a really good job of really dialing it back, going back to square one,” Pierce said. “Maybe you don’t need as many checks. Maybe you don’t need many calls, right?”

Pierce lobbies for Spillane

Pierce began last season as the Raiders’ linebackers coach, so he’s had an up-close look at linebacker Robert Spillane the past two years.

He’s been impressed since the beginning. Pierce believes Spillane deserves a new deal when his two-year, $7 million contract expires this offseason.

“He’s a guy that I would love to see here for the long term,” Pierce said. “But especially this year, he’s done a really good job for our organization and our defense.”

Pierce credited Spillane for being an extension of the coaching staff on the field. He said Spillane always makes sure the defense has the proper checks and is positioned correctly.

“And then to be honest, when it comes down to production, he’s up there, to me, with some of the best linebackers in the league,” Pierce said.

Respect your elders

Pierce has been clear about his respect for Scott Turner’s father Norv, who joined the Raiders as an advisor last week.

He reiterated those feelings Friday when asked about Scott and Norv’s relationship.

“They know each other,” Pierce said, joking. “And I think more importantly, Scott listens to Norv. And that’s going to be good for the Raiders.”

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.