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Antonio Pierce has concerns as Raiders turn attention to cut-down day – Winnipeg Free Press

Posted on by Venarayua
Antonio Pierce has concerns as Raiders turn attention to cut-down day – Winnipeg Free Press

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Antonio Pierce, the Raiders’ normally talkative coach, sometimes speaks the loudest when he uses the fewest words.

He was direct on Saturday when asked about two rookie cornerbacks who have not yet distinguished themselves.

“I think it’s still a work in progress,” Pierce said.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jacob Cowing (83) catches a pass for a touchdown against Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Rayshad Williams (36) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jacob Cowing (83) catches a pass for a touchdown against Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Rayshad Williams (36) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)

That goes for the entire Las Vegas roster, as Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco work together to whittle it down to 53 players by Tuesday at 4 p.m. EDT. The Raiders, like other teams, won’t be done yet, as they will then see which players might be available after being released by other clubs.

“If we can get better, we can get better,” Pierce said, again answering unusually briefly.

The Raiders lost their first two preseason games and ended their practice schedule with a 24-24 tie with the San Francisco 49ers on Friday night. They open the regular season at AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 8, hoping to prove low expectations wrong.

This is where roster construction will be key, and the preseason did little to assuage concerns about defensive depth. The Raiders finished ninth in defense last season, but a few key injuries could spell trouble.

But even the regular players had their problems in the three test games. The Raiders were particularly vulnerable in the running game, allowing 136.7 yards per game and 4.5 yards per run.

The defense wasn’t exactly stellar either. Even with six starters on the field a week ago, the Cowboys’ third quarterback, Trey Lance, moved the ball effectively in Dallas’ 27-12 win.

Las Vegas had hoped to bolster the secondary when they drafted Decamerion Richardson in the fourth round out of Mississippi State and MJ Devonshire in the seventh round out of Pittsburgh. Richardson did not play against the 49ers, although the Raiders played with reserves.

The return of cornerback Brandon Facyson from an unspecified injury would be particularly important. He should compete with Jakorian Bennett for an open spot.

“Yeah, we’ve got to get Brandon on the field,” Pierce said. “I can’t even evaluate him because we haven’t had him on the field yet. So it’s just tough and a lot of these younger cornerbacks have an advantage because of it. It’s good for them to get reps in the preseason and training camp, but I’m not an advocate of putting young cornerbacks on the field early when they’re not quite ready.”