The Los Angeles Rams could be without wide receiver Davante Adams on Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks. While the assumption seems to be that the Rams will be without Adams until the playoffs, according to head coach Sean McVay, the Rams aren’t ruling out Adams for Thursday night’s game. ESPN’s Sarah Barshop added, “After […]
The Los Angeles Rams could be without wide receiver Davante Adams on Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks. While the assumption seems to be that the Rams will be without Adams until the playoffs, according to head coach Sean McVay, the Rams aren’t ruling out Adams for Thursday night’s game.
“After Sunday’s game, Rams coach Sean McVay said Adams was “optimistic” about the injury, but cast doubt on whether the receiver would be able to play on the short week. McVay said Tuesday that the Rams were going to give Adams “every chance” to be able to play in Seattle, adding that the team will take it “all the way up to game time” before making a decision.”
Adams was initially seen as being out until the playoffs, but his status has since moved to week-to-week. That’s certainly a positive for the Rams wide receiver. Still, given that the injury was something that Adams re-aggravated, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Rams play it safe with Adams. They will need him to be 100 percent for the playoffs.
McVay keeping Adams’ availability open appears to be a mental game to force the Seahawks to prepare as if the Rams will have Adams on the field on Thursday night. However, if he does play, it would likely be in a limited capacity.
If Adams does miss time, especially on Thursday, the question becomes who replaces Adams. At the end of the day, there isn’t a one-for-one swap for Adams. The Rams rank third in red zone scoring this season, and that is in large part because of Adams. McVay’s offenses have consistently struggled in the red zone. Only in 2019 and 2023 did the Rams rank inside the top-10 in red zone touchdown percentage. Again, the Rams are third heading into Week 16.
As fun as the idea of bringing back Odell Beckham Jr. in a limited capacity would be, it’s not something that’s going to happen at this stage. The Rams are rightfully happy with their receiving room and it’s time for the depth to step up.
1. TE Terrance Ferguson/Colby Parkinson
The Rams have been a heavy 13-personnel team since Week 7. By utilizing three tight ends, the Rams primarily have just one wide receiver on the field at a given time. That adds importance to the tight end position and both Ferguson and Parkinson have played well in recent weeks. Following Adams’ injury, Parkinson had one catch for 11 yards and a touchdown. With that said, the Rams did utilize Parkinson out wide on the perimeter against the Lions. He’s shown that he can win in that spot. He’s also made key plays in the red zone. After Adams, Parkinson and Nacua are tied for second on the team with six touchdowns.
Similarly, this is where Terrance Ferguson could be utilized as well. The Rams have tried to get Ferguson involved in the offense. Unfortunately, Stafford and the Rams rookie simply haven’t been on the same page consistently enough. Ferguson played his most snaps in a game last week and seems to be on the rise. He and Stafford just need to connect. Ferguson can win vertically, specifically on the slot fade like Adams. Ferguson isn’t as polished of a route runner or as smooth of a mover, but he can still be a threat in the passing game in the same areas of the field.
2. WR Konata Mumpfield
Stafford targeted Mumpfield along the sideline against the Lions and the rookie nearly came down with it. Mumpfield has been a solid player this season and from a snap perspective, he’s been the team’s third wide receiver. Mumpfield has out-snapped Jordan Whittington each of the last two weeks. Mumpfield is also someone that the Rams have utilized in the red zone and has been the lone wide receiver in 13 personnel. Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur noted on Tuesday that Mumpfield and Adams have similar traits. Said LaFleur,
“Has similar traits to Davante in terms of just how they’re wired in their lower halves and how they see the game. It’s been a really cool deal. ‘Mump’ a smart dude as I’ve alluded to quite a bit. It was very easy for him to realize, ‘Wow, there are a lot of things that ‘Tae’ does that I want to do because my body will allow me to do it.’ ‘Tae’ likewise has seen that for ‘Mump.’ I would say that’s the one he’s really taken a hand to because he sees a lot of similar traits that he had when he was younger.”
It’s lofty expectations to expect a seventh-round pick with five catches this season to take over for Adams. It’s not a direct swap even if they may have some similarities in their skillsets. Mumpfield’s frame is still much smaller. However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get a snap increase against the Seahawks.
3. WR Tutu Atwell
When the Rams re-signed Tutu Atwell to a one-year, $10 million fully guaranteed contract, they did so before signing Davante Adams. As it stands, Atwell seems to have fallen down the depth chart. He played four snaps against the Lions and seems to be splitting time with Xavier Smith as they have similar skillsets. Still, if the Rams paid Atwell $10 million, it was for these moments. He did make a difficult catch last week in limited action after Adams went down.
This isn’t to say that Atwell is going to take over Adams’ production and have a breakout game against the Seahawks. However, Atwell is a player that can line up on the outside and win vertically. He’s always played bigger than his size and shown an ability to go up and get the ball. Atwell will be the most experienced wide receiver behind Nacua. If the Rams are simply looking for a wide receiver that they can trust to be in the right spot, Atwell provides that.
Category: General Sports
