September 29, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce praised his team's performance in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce isn't paying attention to the outside noise as he works to get his team ready for Sunday's game against the host Denver Broncos.
Multiple outlets reported Tuesday that star wide receiver Davante Adams told the Raiders (2-2) he wants to be traded. Adams did not practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury that caused him to miss last week's 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns in Las Vegas.
Pierce further complicated the situation when he liked an Instagram post saying it wouldn't be surprising if Adams' time in Las Vegas was over. Whether Pierce intended to send a similar message is unknown. When asked about it, he said only: “Yeah, I'm focused on Denver.”
Pierce added of the game against the Broncos (2-2), “That's my only focus. I'm getting paid here to be ready for the opponent every week. I'm not going to blink. I'm not going to Back off. I've said it before: I've been through enough adversity and stuff in my life that it doesn't bother me, I just keep going.
“The next obstacle in front of me is the Denver Broncos, and that's what I'm asking my team to do.”
Denver poses a considerable obstacle, having one of the best defenses in the league through the first four weeks of the season. The Broncos are allowing the third-fewest points per game (13.8) and the third-fewest passing yards (146.0), which could cause problems for the Raiders offense without Adams.
One player who could have a bigger role in Las Vegas is rookie tight end Brock Bowers. While he has yet to find the end zone, the first-round pick out of Georgia ranks second among all tight ends in catches (20) and receiving yards (216). He was coming off the quietest game of his career, catching just two balls for 19 yards against the Browns.
With help from the defense, Denver will try to end an eight-game losing streak dating back to 2020 against Las Vegas.
“We have a big game on Sunday,” Sutton said. “The most important games are the games we're 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're going to play this year.”
Sutton had three catches for 60 yards and the only touchdown in Denver's 10-9 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday.
Denver rookie Bonix completed 12 of 25 passes for 60 yards and his first career touchdown pass against the Jets and is looking forward to his first taste of the Broncos and Rivalry between the Raiders.
“I think until you play your first game, I don't think you really understand it,” Nix said. “I'm excited to play Sunday. I know it's important to this organization.”
The Knicks may not be able to get backcourt support from Tyler Buddy, who missed Wednesday's practice with a back injury. Safety JL Skinner (ankle) was limited.
The situation in Las Vegas is much more serious, with nine players missing Wednesday's practice due to injuries. The other three are limited.
Players missing include star defensive end Maxx Crosby (ankle), linebackers Divine Deablo (slash) and Kana' i Mauga) (calf). Running back Zamir White, who is nursing a groin injury, was one of three players to watch part of the game.
–Scene-level media