HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Raiders coach Antonio Pierce channeled his inner Bill Belichick on Wednesday, delivering his own version of “We’re headed to Cincinnati” after repeatedly asking about star wide receiver Davante Adams’ status in the game team was asked.

“Davante is dealing with a hamstring injury,” Pierce said. “He’s doing rehab and the rest of us are focused on Denver.”

The Raiders visit the Broncos on Sunday and whether Adams will fly with them to Denver is a completely open question given this week’s developments. He could miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury, but multiple reports indicate he wants to leave Las Vegas and the Raiders could be willing to accommodate such a wish.

The first real hint of a possible divorce came Tuesday when Adams said on the “Up and Adams Show” that he hadn’t heard from Pierce because the coach apparently liked a social media post about a possible trade with Adams .

Show host Kay Adams expressed surprise when he learned that Pierce had not reached out to Adams.

“Yes, I do too,” replied Davante Adams.

Pierce would not say whether he and Adams have spoken since Tuesday.

“It’s between me and Davante,” Pierce said.

Even before this week, Adams’ name had regularly appeared in trade rumors as his salary cap hit rises dramatically next year. There’s also the question of whether the Raiders might want to acquire assets for a potential rebuild.

Adams remains one of the NFL’s top receivers at nearly 32 years old, as he executes precise routes and catches passes even when double-teamed. Last season he caught 103 passes for 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns. It was his fifth 1,000-yard season in six years, surpassed only by the 997 yards Adams had in 2019. He caught 18 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown in three games this season.

The number of good seasons Adams has left might give potential suitors pause, but if a contending club is looking for a missing piece for a potential Super Bowl appearance, he could be quite tempting.

Of course, a deal would depend largely on what the Raiders wanted in return, and they passed up a major contract in 2022 to bring in Adams. Las Vegas sent the Packers first- and second-round picks in that year’s NFL draft and made Adams the highest-paid receiver at the time with a five-year, $140 million contract with nearly $66 million guaranteed.

His next and final two years are not guaranteed. According to Spotrac, Adams’ salary cap number increases from $25.35 million this season to $44.1 million each of the next two years.

The NFL trade deadline is November 5th, so there’s time to work out a deal, but the longer Adams stays on the roster could also create a distraction for the Raiders.

However, Pierce downplayed whether Adams’ presence would be a problem.

“We’re focused on Denver,” he said.

Crosby status uncertain

Defensive lineman Maxx Crosby missed his first career game Sunday as the Raiders defeated the Cleveland Browns 20-16, and there is no decision yet on whether he will play in Denver.

Crosby played several games with a knee injury late last season, but Pierce said the club will be more cautious this time.

“If you think about last year, the injury happened later in the season,” Pierce said. “We are fighting and fighting to get into the playoffs. Now it’s early. You can take advantage of the early part of the season. Make him well. We have a bye week in the middle. Ultimately, my job is to protect Maxx Crosby from Maxx Crosby. If Maxx had his way, he would be in training every day and for every game.”

Tight end Michael Mayer, who has been absent since last week for personal reasons, has not returned. Pierce had no update on his status.

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