Raiders’ Jackson Powers-Johnson ruled out for crucial Chiefs matchup

The Las Vegas Raiders will have to reshuffle their offensive line for Sunday's showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs on October 4 after Jackson Powers-Johnson was ruled out with a groin injury. That puts Caleb Rogers in position to make his biggest contribution of the season at right guard but fortunately, the Raiders spent the summer preparing him for precisely this type of opportunity.

Pairing him with Powers-Johnson in a co-starter arrangement rather than treating him strictly as a reserve after Klint Kubiak said both would be playing for the team - and that foresight could now prove valuable. Rogers will be responsible for protecting Kirk Cousins against the Chiefs ’ Chris Jones whilst also opening space for running back Ashton Jeanty as Las Vegas puts its unbeaten record on the line against its AFC West rival. But whilst the news comes as a blow to the Raiders with the Chiefs representing their first major challenge, Las Vegas does have another important piece available again at tight end. Brock Bowers has returned to full health following a meniscus cleanup and showed exactly why his presence changes the offense as he caught 10 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints . Producing a statistical line that has become remarkably rare among tight ends such as Kansas City ’s Travis Kelce , he now has four career games with at least 10 receptions, 100 yards and a touchdown as a de facto receiver.

Patrick Mahomes without left tackle ahead of Raiders clash

Kansas City arrives with its own concern along the offensive line as Patrick Mahomes is set to work once again with Kahlil Benson at left tackle, as Josh Simmons remains sidelined through injury. Simmons , a 2025 first-round pick, has been dealing with a bulging disk in his lower back and head coach Andy Reid said the injury has affected the strength in his leg, although he remains involved in the team's daily work. The original expectation was that his absence would last only a few weeks after he experienced back discomfort during an August practice. Instead, he has missed the first three games and is expected to sit out again Sunday. Kansas City has kept Simmons off injured reserve, meaning he could potentially return after the team's bye so the earliest target would be the October 18 meeting with the Los Angeles Chargers . But for now, Benson 's emergence has helped ease the problem as the undrafted rookie from the Indiana Hoosiers initially joined the Chiefs as a developmental player before injuries thrust him into action. He began on the right side before moving to left tackle when Simmons went down and the results have been encouraging. Mahomes has been sacked only four times through three games, leaving Kansas City on track for its lowest sack total since 2020.