Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce addressed the media Wednesday for the first time since receiver Davante Adams requested a trade Monday. When asked about the situation, Pierce declined to get into details.
“Davante’s dealing with a hamstring,” Pierce said. “He’s rehabbing. And the rest of us are focused on Denver.”
Adams didn’t play against the Cleveland Browns last Sunday after suffering a hamstring injury in practice Thursday. When asked if he expects Adams to be at team headquarters, Pierce said, “He’s supposed to be rehabbing.”
On Monday, screenshots circulated on social media that appeared to show Pierce “liking” an Instagram post insinuating receiver Adams could be traded. “Don’t be surprised if Davante Adams has already played his last snap with the Raiders,” the post read, with a link to a report from Sports Illustrated writer Michael Fabiano. When asked about the post, Pierce didn’t address it.
“I’m just focused on Denver,” Pierce said.
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Pierce said he talks to Adams often, but wouldn’t reveal whether the two have spoken since the trade request. “I’ll leave that between me and Davante,” he said.
The Raiders play the Broncos in Denver on Sunday, and Pierce was adamant that that’s where the team’s focus is. He doesn’t think Adams’ trade request will be a distraction. When asked how to make sure that remains the case, Pierce took the onus and said he was “100 percent” confident the team received his message.
“It starts with me,” Pierce said. “That’s my only focus. I get paid here to get ready each and every week for the opponent. I don’t blink. I don’t flinch. I’ve said it before: I’ve been through enough in my life with adversity and stuff that it doesn’t bother me. I just move forward.
“The obstacle in front of me is the Denver Broncos. And that’s what I presented to my team and that’s what they’re doing right now in the meeting room. We’re about to go out to practice and then do it versus the Broncos.”
(Photo of Davante Adams: Ian Maule / Getty Images)
