CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s solely been 4 weeks. Three video games.
Time doesn’t apparently fly for Rams star receiver Davante Adams.
“It feels prefer it’s been a 12 months,” he stated.
Adams, who has not performed since mid-December due to a hamstring damage, will return to the lineup Saturday when the Rams play the Carolina Panthers in an NFC wild-card playoff recreation at Financial institution of America Stadium.
Regardless of taking part in in solely 14 video games, Adams completed with 60 catches for 789 yards and an NFL-best 14 landing catches, turning into the primary participant to steer the league in landing receptions with three totally different groups.
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The Rams wish to avenge their loss in Carolina earlier this season with a win over the Panthers within the NFC wild-card playoffs.
In 2020, with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, Adams caught 18 landing passes for the Inexperienced Bay Packers. In 2022, with Derek Carr at quarterback, he caught 14 landing passes for the Las Vegas Raiders. And this season, Adams achieved the feat by catching almost a 3rd of quarterback Matthew Stafford’s league-leading 46 landing passes.
“He’s in rarefied air,” coach Sean McVay stated of Adams.
McVay sensed the probabilities when he aggressively pursued Adams to exchange Cooper Kupp, and the Rams signed the three-time All-Professional to a two-year contract that included $26 million in ensures.
Adams, 33, has been an improve, particularly when the Rams have the ball near the aim line. His 117 profession landing catches are probably the most amongst energetic gamers, and seventh all time.
With Stafford sitting out all of coaching camp due to a again subject, it took the 2 veterans a 3rd of the season to determine a constant connection. Adams broke out with three touchdowns in a Week 7 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
He remained on a roll till he was injured in a Dec. 14 victory over the Detroit Lions at SoFi Stadium.
“We struggled to hit on a number of issues early within the season,” Stafford stated, “to the place he was completely dominating folks within the crimson zone.”
Or, as offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur put it: “As soon as it clicked, it simply clicked.”
Adams, 6 ft 1 and 204 kilos, stated he has possessed “a nostril for the top zone,” since his school days at Fresno State.
Rams large receiver Davante Adams celebrates after scoring a landing towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium on Nov. 23.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Occasions)
His potential to separate from defenders turns into particularly acute and efficient within the tighter area close to the aim line. However dominating close to and ultimately zone goes past bodily strikes.
“It’s understanding how one can talk with the quarterback, and understanding what he sees and with the ability to react,” Adams stated.
Adams’ abilities profit different Rams receivers as properly.
“It’s been a bonus for everyone else in our offense, understanding the place the protection is making an attempt to land and making an attempt to cease each minimize they will from No. 17 and the alternatives are given to all people else,” stated Puka Nacua, who led the league with 129 catches.
Adams performed by way of a hamstring subject for a lot of the season earlier than he went down whereas operating a route towards the Lions. The damage may need been worse, Adams stated, if he tried to “push by way of” to catch the ball reasonably than collapsing to the turf.
“Me bailing out of it proper there,” he stated, “I feel I saved it a little bit bit.”
The primary few days after an damage are a psychological problem as a result of “you’re feeling sorry for your self,” Adams stated. However the realization that he remained a task mannequin for youthful receivers helped him work by way of the anguish.
“I nonetheless need to be there for them, being robust for the workforce, being current and discovering a option to nonetheless embrace myself in issues and be useful,” he stated.
Adams’ presence and persona additionally has influenced gamers on the Rams’ protection.
Edge rusher Jared Verse, a third-year professional and famous trash talker, stated he initially was cautious of teasing Adams.
“I received’t lie,” Verse stated, “if you happen to go towards Davante, it’s important to be prepared as a result of he’s going to have one thing loopy to say again.
“It’s important to be ready for it.”
Now Adams is getting ready for his seventh playoff look, his first because the 2021 season. In 11 postseason video games, all with the Packers, he caught 72 passes, eight for touchdowns.
Adams has performed in 4 NFC championship video games however continues to be looking for his first Tremendous Bowl victory.
“We’ve got larger targets in thoughts than to only survive the primary spherical of the playoffs,” he stated.
How shortly Adams and Stafford can set up their connection stays to be seen.
Adams stated a number of weeks off wouldn’t “deteriorate the success and the expansion” they skilled through the season.
“We’ve put within the work and we perceive one another loads higher than what we did once we first began the season,” he stated. “Hopefully that takes care of that.”
Stafford shouldn’t be involved.
“I simply need to put it within the ballpark,” he stated, “and let him go do his factor.”
