Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce ignores the outside noise as he tries to prepare for his team’s meeting with the host Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Multiple media outlets reported Tuesday that star wide receiver Davante Adams has told the Raiders (2-2) he wants to be traded. Adams did not practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury that kept him out of Las Vegas’ 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns last week.
Pierce added another layer to the situation when he liked an Instagram post saying it wouldn’t be surprising if Adams’ days in Las Vegas are over. Whether Pierce intended to offer the same is unknown. When asked about it, all he said was, “Yeah, I’m focused on Denver.”
Pierce added about the contest against the Broncos (2-2), “That’s all I’m focused on. I’m paid here to prepare for the opponent every week. I don’t blink. I don’t eat. He said it before: I’ve been through enough in my life with hardships and things that don’t bother me moving forward.
“The next hurdle in front of me is the Denver Broncos, and that’s what I’m introducing to my team.”
Denver poses quite the obstacle, boasting one of the league’s best defenses through the first four weeks of the season. The Broncos are allowing the fewest three-pointers per game (13.8) and the fewest passing yards per game (146.0), which could spell trouble for an Adams-less Raiders offense.
One player who could see an expanded role for Las Vegas is tight end Brock Bowers. Although he hasn’t found a tight end, the first-round pick out of Georgia is second among all tight ends in receptions (20) and receiving yards (216). He is coming off his quietest game as a pro, as he caught just two balls for 19 yards against the Browns.
With the help of its defense, Denver will try to snap an eight-game winning streak against Las Vegas that stretches back to 2020. It’s a skid that doesn’t faze Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton.
“We have a big game on Sunday,” Sutton said. “The most important game is the one we are about to play, everything that happened in the past is in the past, what we can focus on is the team we have now and the team we are going to play. to play this year.”
Sutton hauled in three 60-yard field goals and was the only scorer by either team in Denver’s 10-9 win over the New York Jets last Sunday.
Denver rookie Bo Nix completed 12 of 25 passes for 60 yards and a score — his first career touchdown pass — against the Jets, and he’s looking forward to his first taste of the rivalry between the Broncos and Raiders.
“I don’t think you really understand it, I guess, until you play in your first one,” Nix said. “I’m happy to play on Sunday. I know it’s important for this organization.”
Nix may not have backup behind Tyler Badie, who missed Wednesday’s practice with a back injury. Safety JL Skinner (ankle) was limited.
Las Vegas is under heavy scrutiny, as nine players missed Wednesday’s practice due to injuries. The other three were limited.
Among those sitting out were defensive tackle Maxx Crosby (ankle) and linebackers Divine Deablo (oblique) and Kana’i Mauga (calf). Running back Zamir White, who is nursing a groin strain, was one of three players who saw limited action.
–Field Level Media