As the Rams (11-3) prepare for what could be a division title-deciding matchup with the Seattle Seahawks (11-3), head coach Sean McVay is not prepared to say that Davante Adams won’t play on Thursday.
On Sunday, the veteran receiver and NFL leader in touchdown catches aggravated a left hamstring injury he has been dealing with for the past several weeks, costing him some practice time in the process. He was estimated as a non-participant for walk-through practices on Monday and Tuesday.
But McVay said the Rams will give him “every chance” to play against the Seahawks, similar to defensive tackle Braden Fiske (ankle), who was also a non-participant the first two days of the week.
“I’m not ruling anybody out,” McVay said. “It’s something that [Adams has] kind of been dealing with it and he’s as tough as it gets. So want to be able to kind of see what it looks like with the time that we have.”
McVay said the Rams are developing contingencies in case Adams (60 catches, 789 yards, 14 TDs) can’t play. One receiver who figures to benefit is Konata Mumpfield.
The rookie from Pittsburgh has run 101 routes this year but has only been targeted eight times with five receptions for 42 yards and one touchdown. But he’s largely worked at Adams’ X-receiver position, and Adams has taken to calling Mumpfield his “son” for how much the rookie reminds the All-Pro of himself when he was a younger player.
“It’ll take all 11 as it does every single week, but I think it’ll be a great opportunity for the young guys,” receiver Puka Nacua said. “Especially Mumph, who has been behind him watching and is somebody that we feel like is ’Tae’s apprentice. So it’ll be fun for him to be able to get those extra reps during practice.”
The Rams and Seahawks enter Week 16 tied atop the NFC West, with the Rams currently owning the tiebreaker thanks to their 21-19 home victory over Seattle last month. The Rams also currently are the No. 1 seed in the NFC and are the only team in the conference to have clinched a playoff spot.
NEW MEMBER OF THE TEAM
McVay announced that his wife Veronika gave birth on Monday to their second child, a little boy named Christian Alexander McVay. McVay said both mother and child were healthy.
“What a blessing,” McVay said, “and what a crazy week to be playing on a Thursday.”
NO HIGBEE OR HAVENSTEIN THIS WEEK
The Rams will be without tight end Tyler Higbee (ankle) and right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle/knee) again this week as the team allows them to continue to rehab the injuries that placed them on injured reserve.
McVay said the expectation is to consider their availability for the Week 17 game at the Atlanta Falcons rather than rush them back on a short week against the Seahawks.
“You don’t really get a chance for any of the prep and the things that I think are in alignment with putting guys in a position to have successful outcomes.”