Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey facing each other in NFL debut

Former Georgia Bulldogs teammates Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey will play against each other in their respective NFL debuts on Sunday (Sept. 8) at 4:05 p.m. ET.

Bowers, who was the 13th pick in the 2024 NFL draft , plays tight end for the Las Vegas Raiders. McConkey, who was the 34th pick this year, plays wide receiver for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Bowers and McConkey won a pair of national championships together during their time at Georgia. The dynamic pass catching duo battled through injuries during Georgia’s SEC championship loss against the Alabama Crimson Tide last year. Bowers was unable to return for Georgia’s bowl game against the Florida State Seminoles, but Ladd McConkey played in the Orange Bowl and scored an outrageous touchdown .

Now, Bowers and McConkey will play against each other twice per season in the AFC West. Bowers, who had been dealing with a foot injury, returned to Raiders’ practice on Wednesday.

Bowers and McConkey are candidates to win the offensive rookie of the year award. Bowers has been very productive at every stop of his football career. McConkey is projected to be the Chargers’ best receiver this season. The Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers game will be televised on CBS.