Davante Adams missed the Rams’ final three regular-season games due to a hamstring injury; the free agent pickup still led the NFL with 14 touchdown receptions. It appears likely the former All-Pro will be back for the playoffs.
The Rams expect Adams to be on the field when they begin this year’s playoff slate against the Panthers, Sean McVay said (via ESPN.com’s Sarah Barshop) Monday. Adams returned to practice Thursday and finished last week with two limited sessions.
A proponent of resting players when possible in the final week of the regular season, McVay held Adams out of the Rams’ Week 18 matchup against the Cardinals. The Rams won without him, though they only went 1-2 without their high-end No. 2 receiver. Losses to the Seahawks and Falcons dropped the Rams off the No. 1 seed line and into the No. 5 position. As a result, L.A.’s playoff docket will likely come entirely on the road.
No IR move commenced, giving the Rams flexibility with Adams. He has rewarded the team for its two-year, $46MM investment, catching 14 touchdown passes. Adams, 33, has done plenty to bolster Matthew Stafford‘s MVP campaign. After Cooper Kupp struggled to reprise his earlier form last season (before being released), Adams has brought a step up. The former Packers, Raiders and Jets standout is in the playoffs for the first time since he left Green Bay. He enters the game with 60 catches for 789 yards.
Puka Nacua led the NFL with 129 receptions, doing so despite missing a game. Adams’ return will help the star third-year pass catcher, who finished second in receiving yards (to Jaxon Smith-Njigba) with 1,715 this season while giving the Rams’ offense a significant boost. Adams playing well in the playoffs will increase his chances of seeing the Rams pay out his $6MM roster bonus, which is due on Day 3 of the 2026 league year.
McVay added Quentin Lake — who signed a three-year extension last week — and tight end Terrance Ferguson are expected to play Saturday in Charlotte. Lake will need to be activated off IR to return. The Rams joined the other 13 playoff teams in receiving two additional IR activations for the playoffs. L.A. is in good shape there, having seven remaining. Lake underwent elbow surgery in November.
The Rams have to be the Superbowl favorite with a healthier team and Adams back.
Can Stafford make a run and win another championship? It could definitely help a HOF case. For McVay and Adams as well.
He’s already gonna be a Hall of Famer.