The past few seasons, the Raiders starters have not played in preseason. The question always came up, and the starters often suited up for the game, but each time the players took the field for the first snap, the established starters didn’t come out with them.
That’s something Davante Adams has gotten used to. And that’s the way he likes it.
“A few reps could help, but just based off of the risk, it’s not on mind as something that I’m looking forward to,” Adams said of playing in preseason. “I look forward to the games to watch the guys go at it and watch the team get better and all the things that go on with that. But I’m definitely not…if I’m choosing, I’m not playing.”
According to Adams, he hasn’t played in a preseason game since 2016. That was his third season in the NFL. He went on to put up 997 yards and 12 touchdowns and earned the right to not have to play in the preseason.
Adams thinks the real work is done in practice. That’s where he sees himself getting on the same page with his quarterback.
Last week Antonio Pierce opted to go old school and have his available starters on both sides of the ball all play at least a drive. So, it’s possible Adams could be asked to play if, as used to be the norm, starters see increased snaps as the preseason goes along.
There will be a conversation to be had. But Adams has let it be known where he stands on the issue. So, we’ll see if Pierce honors Adams’s preference or not.
The Raiders face the Cowboys this Saturday at Allegiant.