GM Tom Telesco said Thursday that he excepts Mayer to "take a leap this year" even though the Raiders drafted fellow tight end Brock Bowers at No. 13 overall, Nick Walters of KTNV Las Vegas reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Raiders presumably plan to use a lot of multi-TE formations, but the new competition for snaps and targets is nonetheless terrible news for Mayer's fantasy value. He and Bowers were arguably the most productive tight ends in college football over the past half-decade, with Mayer recording 2,099 yards and 18 TDs in three seasons at Notre Dame and Bowers putting up 2,538 and 26, respectively, over three seasons for Georgia. While Mayer is both taller and heavier, Bowers is faster, more agile and an earlier draft pick (Mayer went 35th in 2023). On the bright side, Telesco said there's "no concern" about the foot injury that brought Mayer's rookie season to an early end after 14 games (12 starts) and a 27-304-2 receiving line, per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com.

Mayer (toe) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Mayer had already been ruled out for Sunday's finale prior, but the Raiders wanted to open up a roster spot for the final week of the regular season. The rookie tight end was widely lauded as a sure-fire starter in the league, but he ended up splitting time frequently with Austin Hooper the entire campaign and ended up with a 27-304-2 line on the season. The 22-year-old Mayer likely still projects as a clear-cut starter in future seasons, but it's certainly been a frustrating season for fantasy managers who expected Mayer to flash to the same extent as fellow rookies Sam LaPorta, Dalton Kincaid and Luke Musgrave.

Mayer (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's season finale against the Broncos, Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mayer's rookie season will end with three consecutive absences. Austin Hooper should continue to fill in as Vegas' top tight end against a Denver defense that has struggled to defend the position. Mayer finishes his first NFL campaign with 27 catches on 40 targets for 304 yards and two touchdowns.

Mayer (toe) was a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

EDGE Analysis

The second-round rookie has missed the Raiders' last two games, and his practice week is off on the wrong foot. With Mayer out last week, Austin Hooper played 85 percent of the offensive snaps, catching three passes for 28 yards on three targets against the Colts.

Mayer (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Colts, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

This news isn't surprising considering coach Antonio Pierce said earlier Friday that he didn't expect Mayer to be available. The rookie tight end will miss a second consecutive game, leaving Austin Hooper and Zach Gentry as the team's only available options at the position. Mayer will have one more chance to suit up Week 18 against the Broncos before the conclusion of his first NFL campaign.

Coach Antonio Pierce said Friday that Mayer (toe) will more than likely remain out Sunday against the Colts, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mayer missed Monday's win over Kansas City due to a toe injury and hasn't been able to participate in practice leading up to Sunday's game in Indianapolis. The rookie tight end's status won't be confirmed until Friday's injury report, but it looks like Austin Hooper and Zach Gentry will be Vegas' only healthy tight ends against the Colts.

Mayer (toe) was listed as a non-participant for Thursday's walk-through practice.

EDGE Analysis

The Raiders have held walkthroughs for the first two Week 17 practice sessions, and Mayer has been estimated as a non-participant on both occasions. He'll have an opportunity Friday to get in some on-field work, but another absence would put him on track to miss a second straight game Sunday at Indianapolis. If Mayer is sidelined, Austin Hooper would likely be in store for a three-down role as the Raiders' starting tight end.

The Raiders listed Mayer (toe) as a non-participant on their practice report estimate Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The team merely held a walkthrough Wednesday after upsetting the Chiefs two days earlier. Austin Hooper took on a three-down role in the contest with both Mayer and Jesper Horsted (hamstring) inactive, catching two of three targets for 13 yards on 89 percent of snaps. That's not unlike the stat lines Mayer has posted of late, with large snap shares rarely leading to considerable receiving production. The rookie is in danger of missing a second straight game when the Raiders play in Indianapolis this Sunday.

Mayer (toe) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Chiefs.

EDGE Analysis

Mayer was unable to practice in any capacity Thursday through Saturday and will miss a game for the first time in his career as a result. Austin Hooper is likely to handle the majority of snaps at tight end in the rookie second-round draft pick's absence, while Jesper Horsted could see additional opportunities as well. Mayer's next chance to suit up will be Week 17 against the Colts.

Mayer (toe) didn't practice Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Mayer has been unavailable for each of Vegas' first two practices this week, but he'll have one more chance to practice Saturday before the Raiders release their Week 16 injury report for Monday's game against the Chiefs. The rookie tight end scored his second NFL touchdown in last Thursday's win over the Chargers, but alternatives will be limited for Mayer's fantasy managers if his status is still in doubt heading into Monday's game, though at least there are two additional games scheduled after the Raiders' 1 p.m. ET kickoff on Christmas.