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Paul Gutierrez, editor at ESPN
HENDERSON, Nevada – Davante Adams returned to the Las Vegas Raiders after being away from the team for nearly two weeks due to the birth of his son.
And while the three-time first-team All-Pro receiver practiced for the first time since July 31 on Tuesday night and said he was excited to return to a team that is not only in the process of building a new offense but is also in the final days of a quarterback competition, Adams added, “If I had the choice, I would not play in either of the Raiders’ final two preseason games.”
“Obviously you have to do what you have to do when it comes to family and obviously the kids, but when you have to miss some time during training camp at this point of the year, it’s not the most pleasant feeling,” said Adams, who attended the Raiders’ first six practices in Costa Mesa, Calif., before missing the final five and the first preseason game in Minnesota.
“But you have to get back to work and obviously it helps me to be somewhat familiar with the scheme. It’s reassuring to know that I’ve done it all before. Still, it will help us to get the reps so we can hit the ground running and make sure we make up for lost time.”
The Raiders played all of their starting lineups on both sides of the ball in Saturday’s 24-23 season-opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings, a game in which Las Vegas led 20-7 at halftime.
Aidan O’Connell started at quarterback and had one series, while Gardner Minshew played four series in the second quarter. Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said he expects to name a starter sometime after Saturday’s preseason game at Allegiant Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys.
Adams was a fan and a scout watching at home.
“I mean, they both did their best,” Adams said. “They both did their thing and Gardner came in and picked up where Aidan left off.”
“You can see we have two quarterbacks that aren’t necessarily the same… the O-line has done a good job of keeping both guys as clean as possible. I’ve seen a lot of good, so I hope we continue to do that and it’s going to be tough for AP to figure that out. But I’m praying for nothing but success for both of them.”
Receiver Tre Tucker said the Raiders are more than happy about Adams’ return.
“The offense runs through him and the receiver department runs through him,” Turner said. “He’s a leader. Having him is, like I always say, a confidence booster because he’s one of the best (receivers in the league), if not the best. Just having him on our side and the way he teaches us, critiques us and all that stuff is very good.”
Adams, who played for the Green Bay Packers in the system of new Raiders offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, admitted he was in a different state of mind than before he left the team.
“My healthy little boy is home and the rest of the kids are here,” Adams said. “So we have a full house and a lot of help and support around us to make sure that when we’re in the (Raiders) building, I can lock myself in as well.”
