Sources: Raiders TE Brock Bowers expected to play vs. Saints

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is expected to play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, barring a surprise, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Coach Klint Kubiak said this week that he was optimistic about Bowers' return, and the Raiders did not elevate a tight end for game day like in previous weeks.

Bowers, who is listed as questionable with a knee injury, missed the first two weeks of the regular season after undergoing a meniscus trim procedure Sept. 8. He practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday this week before missing Friday's practice, which Kubiak said was planned.