HENDERSON, Nev. — Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce fielded a question about All-Pro receiver Davante Adams’ trade request report and the Raiders’ willingness to trade him during his weekly press conference Wednesday. I turned away.
“Davante is dealing with his hamstring,” Pierce said of Adams, who missed Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns with an injury.
“He’s in rehab and the rest of us are focused on Denver.”
Pierce was asked Wednesday if Adams would be in the facility as the Raiders (2-2) play the Denver Broncos (2-2) on Sunday.
“He’s supposed to be rehabbing,” Pearce said.
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A verified Instagram account liked a Sports Illustrated post two days ago (the “like” was later removed), leaving some wondering if Adams played his last game in Las Vegas. When asked about his doubts, Pierce said, “Yeah, I’m just focused on Denver.”
Pearce was then asked about his relationship with Adams, to which he replied, “Me and Davante talk a lot.”
When was the last time he spoke to Adams?
“I’ll keep that between me and Davante,” Pierce said.
At the top of Adams’ trade wish list are the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints, a league source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, with quarterback Aaron Adams with whom he played for the past eight seasons. – He is said to be hoping to reunite with Rogers. Green Bay Packers Derek Carr attended Fresno State and spent a season with the Raiders.
In fact, Adams has only had Carr and Rodgers as a quarterback since high school. But since Carr was benched and released by Las Vegas after the 2022 season, Adams has caught passes from Jarrett Stidham, Jimmy Garoppolo, Brian Hoyer, Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew.
Still, Pierce insisted he and the team are focused on Denver.
“It starts with me, because that’s my only focus,” Pierce said. “I get paid here and I prepare for my opponents every week. I don’t blink, I don’t flinch. I don’t know, like I said before, I’ve been through enough life.” Don’t worry about adversity, just move forward.
“The next obstacle in front of me is the Denver Broncos. That’s what I presented to the team and they’re doing it right now in the conference room. We’re going to go to practice now. We’re about to play the Broncos.” ”
The atmosphere in the Raiders’ locker room after practice was somber, but Adams wasn’t there during media access.
“We’ve got to focus on the job at hand with the guys we have here,” quarterback Gardner Minshew said. “Obviously, everyone understands Davante’s situation and we all love Davante, but please understand, he has to make the decision that is best for him and our team and we We have to make the best decision for us. We have to keep moving forward and try to figure out the situation and find a way to win the game. ”
When asked if the Raiders would have felt safer without Adams last weekend, considering the relatively strong offense, Minshew shook his head.
“You always want great players on your team, and that’s what he is,” Minshew said of Adams. “I’ve learned so much from him. I think I’m still figuring out who I am with him. But, yeah, I’m glad he’s out there. Hopefully we’ll have him back. I want it, but whatever happens?”
Jacobi Meyers will continue to slide into the WR1 role in Las Vegas in the absence of Adams.
“I’ve been playing in big moments,” Myers said. “We’ve had to play and put on quite a load. So until we kind of understand what’s going on, we’re just going to keep our heads down and hopefully we can accomplish this together.” is.”
“I’m going to continue to be me. That’s all I can do. Whatever they bring to me, I’m going to be ready for it. I’ll deal with it like I always do. But just me. Please continue to be, for sure.”
Myers acknowledged that Adams’ situation “will be a distraction,” but added, “That’s the reality, and we understand that. It’s more important to make plays regardless. For us. It doesn’t matter what you encounter. Break it up and move forward.”
How will Pierce, who was named interim coach last Nov. 1 and hired full-time in January, try to set the tone this week?
“We’re just going to carry on with business as usual,” he said. “This is the NFL. Stuff happens every day. It’s been a roadblock since I took this job. This is another roadblock.”