The Las Vegas Raiders suffered a horrendous 36-22 defeat to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3 at home, and the team lost all the momentum built up from an impressive victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.
Though Las Vegas' loss to the Panthers last Sunday was extremely demoralizing, the team has a chance to bounce back against the Cleveland Browns this Sunday to end off a two-game home stretch and capture a key AFC victory.
Defeating the Browns won't be an easy task for Antonio Pierce's squad, especially with the unfortunate injury news that was revealed on Friday.
According to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN, head coach Antonio Pierce said wide receiver Davante Adams, tight end Michael Mayer, and linebacker Divine Deablo will not play on Sunday versus the Browns. Pierce said the same about edge rusher Maxx Crosby and right tackle Thayer Munford, but both are listed as doubtful on the final injury report.
LB Divine Deablo and RT Thayer Munford will also be out...
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) September 27, 2024
Adams sustained a hamstring injury during Thursday's practice, while Crosby and Munford didn't practice all week due to ankle injuries. Mayer is out for personal reasons, while Deablo is dealing with an oblique issue.
You would think with all the negativity surrounding the team, the Raiders would have been glad to hold their usual Friday rookie dance-off, but as Vic Tafur of the Athletic reported, Las Vegas canceled that.
Raiders cancel today’s rookie dance-off at practice.
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) September 27, 2024
Though it is only September, the optimism surrounding the Raiders is quickly declining. The quarterback situation is mediocre, Antonio Pierce and the coaching staff look out of sorts, injuries have plagued the team and there has already been a team meeting to hash things out.
To say the Raiders need a win over the Browns on Sunday is an understatement. It would go a long way to instill confidence in a unit trending in the wrong direction.
