The Los Angeles Rams have made the first of what figures to be a series of key decisions regarding wide receiver Davante Adams’ status for Week 16 against the Seattle Seahawks on “Thursday Night Football” as the player navigates a hamstring injury.
Adams is not the only player the Rams are monitoring heading into the contest, either.
Rams head coach Sean McVay addressed Adams and several other players’ respective statuses during his first media availability of Week 16.
Davante Adams Not Practicing to Start Week 16
GettyDavante Adams #17 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before facing the Detroit Lions.
Adams signed a two-year, $44 million contract with the Rams in free agency, bringing a resume including six Pro Bowls and three First Team All-Pro selections in stints with the Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Jets to LA.
He has battled the hamstring injury for much of the season, but aggravated the issue in Week 15 against the Detroit Lions.
McVay was noncommittal in either direction with Adams’ playing status for Thursday.
“Davante Adams has a hamstring injury and will not practice during today’s walkthrough,” The Athletic’s Nate Atkins reported on X on December 16. “They’re not ruling him or anyone else out yet for Thursday in Seattle.
Per Atkins, McVay said Adams is “as tough as it gets,” and that he (McVay) wants “to see what it looks like with the time we have,” echoing his previous remarks on letting the situation play out.
McVay previously suggested the short week could work against Adams, saying, “We’ll see.”
“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. I certainly wouldn’t rule him out quite yet, but it didn’t look good.”
McVay would not make final determinations about anyone at this stage of the week, with the limited on-field work a significant factor.
However, McVay did deliver an early decision on several players ahead of Week 16.
Rams Not Activating Rob Havenstein, Tyler Higbee
GettyTyler Higbee #89 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during a game against the Houston Texans.
Adams has not missed any games this season, but the Rams have felt the impact of the injury bug at his position and several others, namely right tackle Rob Havenstein and tight end Tyler Higbee.
Both are among the handful of players remaining from the Rams’ Super Bowl roster in 2021.
“Rams TE Tyler Higbee and RT Rob Havenstein are now eligible to return off injured reserve but it won’t happen on the short week with just one walkthrough practice,” Atkins reported.
Havenstein and Higbee both went on IR after the Rams’ Week 11 win over the Seahawks. They have met the required four-game minimum absence, and the Rams will have 21 days after opening their practice window to decide on activation for either player.
Colby Parkinson has filled in for Higbee, with Warren McClendon replacing Havenstein.
Both backups have performed admirably, which could allow the Rams to err on the side of caution with Havenstein and Higbee, so that they (and Adams) are available for the postseason.
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