Adams, the face of the Raiders’ offense, has been battling lingering shoulder and knee issues since Week 5. Though he’s played through pain before, sources say his workload has been closely monitored this week, and coaches are wary of aggravating anything ahead of Sunday’s matchup. His presence — even at partial strength — transforms the team’s passing game, drawing double coverage and opening lanes for others. Without him, the offense tends to stall, exposing the team’s lack of depth behind their All-Pro weapon.
Running back Zamir White’s absence may be even more concerning in the short term. With Josh Jacobs’ offseason departure and White assuming the role of lead back, the Raiders’ ground game has depended on his bruising style and energy. A midweek foot injury has now raised doubts about his availability for Sunday, prompting the coaching staff to elevate reserve backs in preparation. “We’re just being cautious,” Pierce said in his post-practice interview. “It’s a long season, and we need our guys healthy when it matters most.” Still, “caution” in mid-October often signals genuine uncertainty.
Meanwhile, quarterback Aidan O’Connell was listed as limited with a minor rib contusion sustained in last week’s game. Though not expected to miss time, his reps in practice were scaled back, giving backup Gardner Minshew an unexpected increase in first-team snaps. The move sparked conversation across social media about whether the Raiders might experiment with a short-term rotation to manage O’Connell’s health. Pierce downplayed that speculation, insisting, “Aidan’s our starter — we’re just being smart.”
The timing of these injuries couldn’t be more frustrating for Las Vegas. Coming off a narrow loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the team’s offensive rhythm had shown signs of improvement. The offensive line was beginning to gel, and rookie wideout Tre Tucker was emerging as a legitimate deep threat. Losing practice time for the team’s offensive leaders, however, threatens to disrupt that fragile progress.
Fans didn’t hide their frustration online. “Every year it’s the same — just when we start to click, the injury bug hits,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). Others were more optimistic, pointing to Pierce’s emphasis on physical conditioning and team resilience: “Next man up — that’s Raider football.” Still, the uncertainty around Adams and White has dominated discussion boards, fantasy football threads, and talk radio segments throughout the day.
NFL analysts were quick to highlight the bigger picture. Former coach Herm Edwards noted on ESPN, “When your top playmakers aren’t practicing on Thursday, that’s when coaches start adjusting the game plan. It’s not panic mode yet, but it’s close.” His comments reflect a growing sense that the Raiders’ offense — already inconsistent — may need to adapt quickly if even one of its stars sits out.
Inside the locker room, players remained composed but realistic. Tight end Michael Mayer told reporters, “We’ve got faith in everyone here. If one guy’s down, the next man’s up. But yeah — you always want your stars out there.” His tone captured the mix of confidence and caution that now defines the Raiders’ week.
Injuries are part of the game, but for a team trying to build momentum under a new regime, timing is everything. Las Vegas can’t afford another setback. Their next opponents — the Denver Broncos and then the red-hot Baltimore Ravens — will test both their physical endurance and mental focus.
If Adams and White can return to full strength, the Raiders’ offense still has the tools to surprise. If not, the team may be forced to lean heavily on Minshew’s experience, Mayer’s short-yardage consistency, and Tucker’s speed to manufacture points. The question isn’t just who plays on Sunday — it’s whether the Raiders’ identity can withstand the turbulence of yet another injury-plagued stretch.
As the weekend approaches, fans, reporters, and fantasy managers alike will be watching Friday’s final injury report closely. A clean bill of health could reignite optimism. Another setback, and Las Vegas may find itself fighting uphill — again.
