For the Los Angeles Rams, the path to the NFC’s top seed runs directly through the Seattle Seahawks. But before the game kicks off, one important question has dominated the conversation. Will wide receiver Davante Adams play tonight? After all, the player’s availability has been doubtful since the last game.

“Rams WR Davante Adams will be INACTIVE tonight,” ESPN‘s Lindsey Thiry wrote on X.

According to Thiry, Adams won’t suit up for the pivotal NFC West clash. The Rams listed him as doubtful after a hamstring injury kept him out of practice all week. It also hinted his chances of playing were thin until the franchise confirmed it in its injury report. The 32-year-old sustained the non-contact injury in the Week 15 win over the Detroit Lions, which led to him exiting before the final whistle. 

With 12:42 left in the game, quarterback Matthew Stafford launched a deep pass downfield on a 3rd-and-3 play. Davante Adams was focusing on the ball while running his route, but then he suddenly slowed down. The crowd saw him grab his left leg and fall to the turf instantly without any contact. Further, reports suggest that the former second-round pick was already dealing with a mild hamstring strain. And that moment likely aggravated his injury.

The only bright moment was his getting up on his own and walking off the field. After the evaluation, his playing status was questionable, and he never returned to the game. During a post-game conference, head coach Sean McVay addressed Adams’ injury, sounding vague on his availability. 

“He was optimistic talking to me. He knows his body really well,” he said. “Hit an east-west double and split it, just kind of came up where he felt it. So, we will see what that means, can’t imagine that’s good for Thursday, which is a short amount of time. I certainly wouldn’t rule him out quite yet, but it didn’t look good.”

So far, Adams has recorded 789 yards, 60 receptions, and 14 touchdowns. His absence is a major blow for the franchise, which will now look to adjust its offensive game plan without Davante Adams. So, how will the Rams adjust?

How will the Rams adjust to Davante Adams’ absence?

The Rams head into Thursday Night Football, knowing they’ll need more than just wide receiver Puka Nacua to carry the passing game with Adams out. While the team expects Nacua to go the extra mile, it will also need other receivers to chip in. It looks like they have decided who they can count on. 

Receiver Jordan Whittington is listed as Adams’ backup on the depth chart, according to USA Today. The second-year wideout, a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, now finds himself in an important position. However, the team’s wide receiver room remains a concern because no player besides Nacua has shown the consistency this season. 

Whittington himself has recorded just 152 yards and 17 catches without a touchdown. Davante Adams’ absence should only elevate Nacua’s role even further. Meanwhile, the Rams’ tight end Colby Parkinson could also benefit, particularly in the red zone, where Adams had been a threat. With the stakes rising, Sean McVay’s team can’t afford anyone else to stay quiet. A win over the Seahawks will allow them to control their path to a division title and No. 1 seed in the conference.