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Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay congratulates his players against the Dallas Cowboys.
Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams will head into their showdown against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14 with several players having injury designations. However, a new report on Davante Adams bodes well for a potential bounce-back effort from the Rams.
Adams missed practice early in the week, but logged back-to-back sessions to end it.
The rest of the Rams’ injury news is far more ominous, while also still very much up in the air in many instances.
Davante Adams Expected to Play Amid Ominous Rams Injury Report
GettyDavante Adams #17 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after catching a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Adams picked up a hamstring injury in the Rams’ Week 13 loss to the Carolina Panthers, but he was able to finish the contest.
McVay said during the week that he expected Adams to play, and it appears he was correct.
“Despite some practice rest this week, Rams WR Davante Adams (hamstring) is expected to play Sunday barring surprise, per source,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported in a post on X on December 5.
Adams has not missed any time this season, suiting up in all 12 of the Rams’ games so far this season.
He leads the league with 14 touchdown grabs out of his 52 total receptions for 689 yards.
Adams has been one of the best offseason signings in the NFL, and his absence would cast some doubts about the Rams’ passing attack, particularly at wide receiver beyond top target Puka Nacua.
Jordan Whittington and Xavier Smith have contributed, as have the Rams’ tight ends and running backs in the passing game.
Still, Adams has been quarterback Matthew Stafford’s go-to target in the red zone.
Adams has a 13-65-12 line in the red zone, receiving 27 of his 99 targets this season inside opponents’ 20-yard line. His absence would require a group effort to replace, but the Rams star has apparently avoided anything serious enough to keep him off the field.
Rams Deliver Ominous Injury Updates on Darious Williams & Tutu Atwell
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay reacts against the Carolina Panthers.
The Rams’ final injury report of Week 14 included three players with designations for their tilt against the Cardinals. Defensive tackle Poona Ford and wideout Tutu Atwell, who are questionable, and cornerback Darious Williams. Ford is expected to play. Williams is doubtful.
Atwell remains on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury.
He has practiced for the past two weeks, and the Rams designated him to return. McVay said they are not likely to activate the fifth-year pro this week.
They have one more week to decide lest he sit the rest of the year. Additionally, McVay said Williams, listed as doubtful on the report, is indeed unlikely to play. The Rams have had to shuffle their secondary amid multiple injuries this season.
They only got Ahkello Witherspoon back in Week 13 against the Panthers.
The Rams have gotten strong play out of starting CBs Cobie Durant and Emmanuel Forbes, but their depth continues to be tested.
Rams Get Major QB News
GettyKyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on during a game against the San Francisco 49ers.
The injury news was not just on McVay and the Rams’ side, with the Cardinals announcing a major quarterback decision.
Usual starter Kyler Murray is on injured reserve and is one of 10 key Cardinals who will miss Week 14 against the Rams. However, the Cardinals also announced that they would not activate Murray from IR this season.
That takes the guesswork out for the Rams, not only this week, but also for Week 18.
McVay and the Rams are on the road, visiting the Cardinals this week, and they will play host to the NFC West rivals in the regular season finale. They figure to face Jacoby Brisett in both.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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