The game is still one week away, but head coach Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams have already made a critical decision ahead of their Week 17 showdown against the Atlanta Falcons on “Monday Night Football.”
McVay has had to sort through plenty of hurdles, finalizing game-day rosters this season amid a slew of untimely injuries to key contributors.
McVay’s job remains difficult following his latest update.
Rams in Wait-&-See Mode on Davante Adams, Kevin Dotson
GettyDavante Adams #17 of the Los Angeles Rams in training camp.
McVay updated the respective statuses of right guard Kevin Dotson and wide receiver Davante Adams for the Rams’ tilt against the Falcons.
“They’re making good progress. I’m not going to make any game status updates, but they’re both making good progress,” McVay told reporters during his regularly-scheduled day-after media availability on December 22. “K-Dot got his ankle pretty good. It’ll be hard for him to make it this week. Davante is making really good progress with his hamstring, and we’ll see what that looks like as the week progresses.”
McVay’s comments about Dotson and Adams stand out, after the Super Bowl-winning head coach was far more pessimistic about both players after Thursday’s loss. He said Adams would “most likely … not be available.”
“We really just take it a little bit at a time. This guy’s a great competitor,” McVay said on December 19. “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.”
McVay was almost certain Dotson would miss time.
“It might need some time,” McVay said on Friday. “So, we’ll see. Got a good ankle sprain, but we’ll see um exactly what that means. But I think his status will be, possibly, in doubt for the Falcons game.”
Rams Rule Out Super Bowl Champions
GettyRob Havenstein #79 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Rams have been hopeful about getting right tackle Rob Havenstein and fellow starter and tight end Tyler Higbee back from injured reserve around this point. Unfortunately, McVay said that will not happen in Week 17 for the veteran Rams.
“They still need some time,” McVay said during Mondays media session. “They’re not quite ready yet.”
Neither Havenstein nor Higbee has played since Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks notably avenged that loss in Week 16 on “Thursday Night Football.” Warren McClendon has filled in at RT, with Colby Parkinson leading the TE platoon. The Rams would certainly like to have both available for the postseason.
Holding them out until they are 100% healthy could be an effort towards that end. At any rate, McVay and the Rams will wait at least another week before activating them.
Rams Holding Out Hope for DB Duo
GettyQuentin Lake #37 of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens.
Adding to the McVay and the Rams’ injury concerns are a pair of defensive backs, Roger McCreary and Quentin Lake.
There at least remains hope for Lake’s potential return.
“The Rams are hoping to get Quentin Lake back for the playoffs,” The Athletic’s Nate Atkins posted on X on December 22 in response to a fan’s inquiry. “The wildcard weekend has been the target since his surgery, and they won’t rush him back before he’s ready.”
That McVay and the Rams have been as good as they have despite their injuries is a testament to their depth and coaching.
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