Raiders Move Forward After Adams Trade
HENDERSON, Nev. — Following the recent trade of Davante Adams to the New York Jets, the Las Vegas Raiders made it clear that his departure won’t lead to a rebuilding phase. The team’s coaching staff emphasized readiness and resilience during a press conference held on Wednesday. “Next man up, move on,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce stated, asserting that Adams had been absent from practices for the previous two weeks, so the team is prepared to continue as usual. The Raiders’ recent performances, however, have not been up to par, as their record stands at 2-4 after disappointing losses to the Denver Broncos and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Maxx Crosby, a standout defensive end for the Raiders, expressed his focus on the upcoming game against the Los Angeles Rams, who also seek a win after a bye week. “I’m focused on who’s here now, and we’re just trying to win football games,” Crosby remarked. He acknowledged the Rams’ offensive talent, including quarterback Matthew Stafford and head coach Sean McVay, indicating that the matchup presents a formidable challenge that the team is eager to face.
Despite the struggles on offense, the Raiders’ defense has shown some strength. They managed to secure three sacks in their last game against the Steelers, marking their third consecutive game with at least that number of sacks. This streak is among the league’s best right now, alongside a run of five games with multiple sacks, which ties for the longest stretch since the Raiders accomplished a similar feat during the 2020-21 seasons.
However, turnovers and penalties have been significant issues for the Raiders in recent weeks. Over the last two games, they have committed six turnovers, and during the match against the Broncos, they amassed 11 penalties for a total of 79 yards. Although their penalty count against the Steelers was lower, two critical roughing-the-passer penalties on third downs ultimately resulted in touchdowns for Pittsburgh, one of which negated what could have been an interception for Las Vegas.
Running back Ameer Abdullah acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “We know where we fall short — turnovers, penalties. I feel like if we can get those things in order, we’re going to give ourselves a much better chance to win most of our games.” He emphasized the importance of focusing on the Rams game, referring to it as a must-win simply because it is the next on the schedule.
On the offensive side, the Raiders are currently struggling, ranking fourth lowest in scoring efficiency with only 28.2% of their drives resulting in points. They also hold the sixth-lowest scoring average in the league at just 18.2 points per game. Aidan O’Connell, who stepped in as the starting quarterback, has thus far faced challenges, recording an 0-2 record. Despite this, he remains optimistic about the team’s capacity to adapt and perform without Adams. “I thought we did a good job executing,” he commented after practice. “I’m confident in our guys to go out and execute.” O’Connell acknowledges that each week presents a new chance for the team, allowing them to reset their mindset regardless of previous outcomes.
With Adams now gone and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers dealing with an ankle injury, second-year player Tre Tucker might see more action in the upcoming game against the Rams. Tucker reflected on his previous experience playing against Los Angeles in preseason, expressing excitement for another opportunity.
As for the injury report, multiple players including Meyers, Crosby, linebackers Tommy Eichenberg and Kana’i Mauga, along with others, did not participate in practice. Running back Zamir White was limited, while several players were full participants.