Jamal Adams 'pushing for starting spot' on Las Vegas Raiders defense

Jamal Adams debuted at linebacker for the Las Vegas Raiders in the preseason opener versus the Seattle Seahawks last Thursday, and the veteran defender played with a ton of juice.

In 15 defensive snaps, Adams tallied four defensive stops with a quarterback pressure against the Seahawks. Now back at practice, the 29-year-old's chances of starting on Patrick Graham's defense have skyrocketed.

According to Levi Edwards of Raiders.com, Adams had another standout day of practice on Monday and is pushing for a starting spot.

"Jamal Adams made another impressive pass deflection in practice, sprinting to break up what would've been a Brock Bowers touchdown," Edwards wrote on Monday. "Adams has excelled over the last week, and could be pushing for a starting role."

The Raiders' linebacker room is wide open, as it seems like Adams is competing with fellow veterans Germaine Pratt and Devin White for the last remaining starting spot in the position group. Elandon Roberts is already expected to occupy one of the starting gigs.

Tommy Eichenberg, a fifth-round pick from a year ago, is also up for consideration. 

Through the first few weeks of camp and one preseason game, Adams has been the most impressive linebacker, though White and Pratt have also been solid. Due to his experience with head coach Pete Carroll, Adams could have the upper hand in the competition, but it is still far from decided.

Las Vegas will host the San Francisco 49ers for a joint practice and preseason game this week, and will finish the preseason on the road versus the Arizona Cardinals.

These next few weeks will decide the depth chart in the linebacker room, and if Adams can continue to stack practices and preseason games, he could be a starter on the defense in Week 1, completing a wild career turnaround after a turmoil-filled 2024 season.