The Los Angeles Rams are coming off their fourth loss of the season, hoping not to lose back-to-back contests for the first time in 2025. That task got more difficult with Rams head coach Sean McVay’s latest comments regarding Davante Adams.
The six-time Pro Bowler missed his first game of the season in Week 16, sitting out the Rams’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks on “Thursday Night Football” due to a hamstring injury.
The hope going in was that rest would be enough to get Adams back on the field.
Rams Make Critical Decision on Davante Adams
GettyDavante Adams #17 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Rams had a 16-point fourth-quarter lead in their loss to the Seahawks, where their offense went cold without Adams. LA had five straight drives without any points, including a missed field goal and three straight three-and-outs.
Unfortunately for the Rams, Adams appears likely to sit against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17.
“I would say, most likely, he will not be available,” McVay told reporters on December 19, adding they have not discussed shutting Adams down until the postseason.
“We really just take it a little bit at a time. This guy’s a great competitor. … He wants to be out there. And I say, ‘most likely’ with Atlanta, Davante is going to do everything he can to push to be available for that. And then, it’s our job to be able to kind of figure out what is best collectively with him. He’s a player that deserves to be involved in those types of conversations, because of the respect, the experience.”
Adams is in his first season with the Rams. He signed a two-year, $44 million contract in free agency during the 2025 offseason. He has 60 receptions for 786 yards and an NFL-best 14 receiving touchdowns in 14 games.
Adams missed three games during the 2024 season while dealing with a hamstring injury.
However, he was also seeking a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders at the time and sat out until they dealt him to the New York Jets, where he played the following week.
Adams, who also dealt with injury issues early in his career, logged back-to-back 17-game seasons in 2022 and 2023. The Rams are choosing a cautious approach after letting the decision linger late into Week 16 ahead of facing the Seahawks.
Even then, McVay said the short week was working against an optimistic Adams.
“He was optimistic talking to him. He knows his body really well,” McVay told reporters on December 15. “I can’t imagine that’s good for Thursday, with just the short amount of time.”
McVay said that he would not rule out Adams at the time, but also conceded that “it didn’t look good. That they made the decision so soon after the game on Thursday, despite having additional time to prepare for Week 17, is an ominous sign.
Sean McVay Praises Rams Fill-In WRs
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay reacts against the Arizona Cardinals.
McVay made it clear that there was no way the Rams were going to “replace” a “special player” like Adams.
However, he was “proud” of how the group stepped up against the Seahawks.
Rookie third-round pick Konata Mumpfield had three receptions for 40 years, while Xavier Smith had a 2-57-0 line in support of top option Puka Nacua (12-225-2). Jordan Whittington chipped in with a 19-yard reception, too.
“You don’t ask one receiver to just take over his production. It’s kind of by a committee,” McVay said. “I thought Mumpfield made his plays. He’s continuing to ascend. Xavier Smith delivers when he’s asked. Jordan Whittington does the same. Tutu [Atwell] did a good job of being able to affect and influence coverage with some of the snaps that he played. And so, I thought they did a really nice job.”
The Rams could need that foursome to at least repeat their efforts in Week 17 if Adams is unable to suit up.
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