Davante Adams ready to be end-zone menace for Rams

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s only been 4 weeks. Three video games.

Time doesn’t apparently fly for Rams star receiver Davante Adams.

“It feels like it’s been a year,” he said.

Adams, who has not performed since mid-December because of a hamstring injury, will return to the lineup Saturday when the Rams play the Carolina Panthers in an NFC wild-card playoff recreation at Bank of America Stadium.

Despite taking part in in only 14 video games, Adams completed with 60 catches for 789 yards and an NFL-best 14 landing catches, changing into the first participant to lead the league in landing receptions with three different groups.

In 2020, with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, Adams caught 18 landing passes for the Green 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 third of quarterback Matthew Stafford’s league-leading 46 landing passes.

“He’s in rarefied air,” coach Sean McVay said of Adams.

McVay sensed the chances when he aggressively pursued Adams to substitute Cooper Kupp, and the Rams signed the three-time All-Pro to a two-year contract that included $26 million in ensures.

Adams, 33, has been an improve, particularly when the Rams have the ball close to the purpose line. His 117 profession landing catches are the most among energetic gamers, and seventh all time.

With Stafford sitting out all of training camp because of a back issue, it took the 2 veterans a third of the season to set up 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 until he was injured in a Dec. 14 victory over the Detroit Lions at SoFi Stadium.

“We struggled to hit on a few things early in the season,” Stafford said, “to where he was absolutely dominating people in the red zone.”

Or, as offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur put it: “Once it clicked, it just clicked.”

Adams, 6 ft 1 and 204 kilos, said he has possessed “a nose for the end zone,” since his school days at Fresno State.

Rams huge receiver Davante Adams celebrates after scoring a landing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium on Nov. 23.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

His means to separate from defenders turns into particularly acute and efficient in the tighter space close to the purpose line. But dominating close to and in the end zone goes past bodily strikes.

“It’s understanding how to communicate with the quarterback, and knowing what he sees and being able to react,” Adams said.

Adams’ abilities benefit other Rams receivers as effectively.

“It’s been an advantage for everybody else in our offense, knowing where the defense is trying to land and trying to stop every cut they can from No. 17 and the opportunities are given to everybody else,” said Puka Nacua, who led the league with 129 catches.

Adams performed through a hamstring issue for a lot of the season before he went down while operating a route against the Lions. The injury may need been worse, Adams said, if he tried to “push through” to catch the ball quite than collapsing to the turf.

“Me bailing out of it right there,” he said, “I think I saved it a little bit.”

The first few days after an injury are a mental problem because “you’re feeling sorry for yourself,” Adams said. But the conclusion that he remained a function model for youthful receivers helped him work through the anguish.

“I still have to be there for them, being strong for the team, being present and finding a way to still include myself in things and be helpful,” he said.

Adams’ presence and persona also has influenced gamers on the Rams’ protection.

Edge rusher Jared Verse, a third-year professional and famous trash talker, said he initially was cautious of teasing Adams.

“I won’t lie,” Verse said, “if you go against Davante, you have to be ready because he’s going to have something crazy to say back.

“You have to be prepared for it.”

Now Adams is making ready for his seventh playoff look, his first since 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 but is still looking for his first Super Bowl victory.

“We have bigger goals in mind than to just survive the first round of the playoffs,” he said.

How rapidly Adams and Stafford can set up their connection stays to be seen.

Adams said a few weeks off wouldn’t “deteriorate the success and the growth” they skilled during the season.

“We’ve put in the work and we understand each other a lot better than what we did when we first started the season,” he said. “Hopefully that takes care of that.”

Stafford isn’t involved.

“I just have to put it in the ballpark,” he said, “and let him go do his thing.”