The San Francisco 49ers are fresh off their bye week, and their big assignment in Week 9 is to stop the Las Vegas Raiders' Brock Bowers. But Fred Warner, who will likely be matched up with Bowers for much of the game, knows that will likely be easier said than done.
The Niners linebacker gave major props to the Raiders tight end's ability ahead of their showdown.
“He is one of the best players in the league regardless of position. He is a tight end and a wide receiver,” Warner said of Bowers, per The Athletic's Vic Tafur.
Bowers had a brilliant rookie season in 2024 as he set NFL records with 112 receptions and 1,194 yards, the most for a rookie tight end. With those numbers, he earned First-Team All-Pro honors. However, a knee injury cut short his 2025 season to just 12 games.
Bowers had another knee procedure back in September that caused him to miss two games, but he is back and once again posting impressive numbers. He already has 41 catches for 547 yards and five touchdowns in six games, all of which lead the Raiders. He's also coming off another fantastic performance in the Raiders' 38-33 win over the Jets. He finished with seven catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
Warner is one of the top coverage linebackers in the entire NFL, but he knows he will have his hands full against Bowers. If he is successful in slowing the Raiders tight end down, though, that will go a long way toward limiting the entire Las Vegas offense.