Raiders Likely to Look to Hooper in Mayer's Absence

The Las Vegas Raiders will be down one of their best offensive weapons in rookie tight end Michael Mayer when they face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday.

Mayer has been quite the playmaker for the Raiders in his first NFL season. Unfortunately for Las Vegas, it will be without its 2023 second-round pick for the first time this season in a game where it needs all the manpower it can get.

Enter veteran tight end Austin Hooper, an offseason free-agent acquisition who has made some big plays for the Silver and Black, but nothing more than two receptions in a single game.

With Mayer out for Monday's game, Hooper's signing suddenly has a lot more value, especially when considering the veteran has a history of being one of the best tight ends in the league.

Hooper was a back-to-back Pro Bowler in the 2018 and 2019 seasons when he was with the Atlanta Falcons. He also has experience playing in big games and even scored a touchdown as a rookie in Super Bowl LI when Atlanta lost in historic fashion to the New England Patriots.

It's one thing when a rookie is called upon and thrown into the fire when the stakes are high, but it is another when a veteran who understands the magnitude of a moment is chosen to step up when needed. For Hooper, that moment will likely be Monday.