As the fifth-seeded Rams prepare for their playoff opener against the fourth-seeded Carolina Panthers on Saturday, they anticipate getting two of their most impactful players back on the field for the contest.
Both wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) and defensive back Quentin Lake (elbow) are expected to play in this weekend’s wild-card round in Charlotte, head coach Sean McVay said on Monday.
Adams has missed the last three games since suffering the injury in Week 15 against the Lions. Despite the missed time, he finished the regular season as the NFL leader in receiving touchdowns. The Rams’ red-zone offense has suffered without Adams on the field; the team had a 66.2% conversion rate in the 14 games Adams played in, but went 6-for-13 the last three weeks.
But he progressed enough to return to practice last week and warm up with the team on the field Sunday prior to the regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, paving the way for his postseason return.
“He looks like he’s ready to go. We’ve erred on the side of caution with him,” McVay said. “I know it’s pissed him off pretty good because of the competitor that he is. But he’s got that look in his eye that I know he’s ready to go.”
Despite those difficult conversations, McVay said he has no issues with how Adams has handled the Rams’ decision to be conservative with his recovery.
“I think he’s so damn smart and he understands and he knows how much I love him and he knows that our intentions are what’s best for the holistic approach,” McVay said. “As a competitor, that’s what makes these guys special.”
Lake has missed the last seven games following surgery to repair a dislocated elbow. In his absence, the Rams defense has gone from being third in estimated points added against run and pass to 20th and 13th in those respective categories.
The drop in run defense may come as a surprise given Lake plays either safety or nickel corner, but McVay said his presence allows the Rams to play in different defensive structure. He also sets a strong perimeter against run-pass options and in the screen game.
Then there are the intangibles that make a tangible impact.
“Just the energy and that swag and that presence, that gives life to others around him, too,” McVay said. “Those things do matter, how do you affect and influence positive change for the unit. Those are the types of stats that I do lean into that I think matter and I think it’s a great reflection of his impact on the collective.”
The Rams are also expecting to get tight end Terrance Ferguson back this week after he was held out of Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. McVay said the rookie felt some discomfort on Friday at practice. When it persisted into Saturday the team opted to hold him out given that veteran Tyler Higbee was returning and would give the Rams a full complement of tight ends.
While the Rams may modify Ferguson’s practice load this week, he should still be able to play on Saturday.
“I’m hopeful,” McVay said. “He’s obviously a special player for us and the way that we use him.”
The Rams will still be in wait-and-see mode with right guard Kevin Dotson (ankle), McVay said, while he did not have updates on receiver Jordan Whittington (knee) and linebacker Shaun Dolac (knee) Monday morning as both were scheduled for MRIs for their injuries suffered Sunday.
The Rams are also still taking a week-to-week approach with right tackle Rob Havenstein as he recovers from ankle and knee injuries.
“The way that he’s led in his own way and influenced and affected this team, just can’t say enough about him in terms of the captain, the man, the glue guy that he is,” McVay said. “But we’re taking it a week at a time. I don’t think anybody really can understand everything he’s pushed through and what he’s put his body through throughout the course of his career.”