The Raiders already were embroiled in early-season turmoil when star receiver Davante Adams went down with a hamstring injury Thursday in practice.
Adams was immediately ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Browns, and the six-time Pro Bowler is considered “week to week,” according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
The loss of Adams, who has recorded at least 100 receptions in five of the previous six NFL seasons, comes at a tumultuous time for Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce. He reportedly considered making a quarterback change after last week’s ugly 36-22 loss to the Panthers, but the Raiders are sticking for now with veteran Gardner Minshew over Aidan O’Connell.
Pierce had said after last week’s home loss that “there were definitely some individuals that made business decisions, and we’ll make business decisions going forward, as well.”
The Raiders had rebuffed trade inquiries in the offseason for Adams, who flourished alongside Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers with the Packers earlier in their careers.
The Raiders also will be without three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby (ankle) on Sunday.
Without Adams, the Raiders will have to lean on veteran receiver Jakobi Meyers and rookie tight end Brock Bowers in the passing game against Cleveland. Adams and Bowers are tied for the team lead with 18 receptions apiece through the Raiders’ 1-2 start.
“Collectively, nobody needs to be Davante Adams,” Pierce said Friday. “I don’t need another Davante. There’s only one, right? I just need the best version of Jakobi Meyers.
“We’ll see what happens come Sunday, but we really feel [positive] giving these guys the last 12 hours and now today and tomorrow to get ready for the game.”
Notably, Eagles receiver A.J. Brown is sitting out his third straight game Sunday against the Buccaneers with a hamstring injury suffered in practice two days before their Week 2 game.
