It’s going to be cold, and it could be raining on Thursday night in Seattle.
Not exactly ideal conditions for any receiver, let alone a near-33-year-old with a hamstring injury.
So while it seems doubtful that the Rams would let Davante Adams risk suffering more damage against the Seattle Seahawks, that did not stop coach Sean McVay on Tuesday from engaging in some gamesmanship.
McVay told reporters that a determination about Adams’ status would not be made until game time.
“He’s as tough as it gets,” McVay said during a videoconference with reporters, “and so want to be able to kind of see what it looks like with the time that we have.”
The Rams, of course, could use Adams, a future hall of famer who leads the NFL with 14 touchdown catches.
But that scenario appeared to evaporate when the 12th-year pro left Sunday’s victory over the Detroit Lions after he clutched his left hamstring and fell to the turf while running a route.
Adams had been nursing a hamstring issue for weeks. If he plays on Thursday he could risk aggravating the injury. And the Rams, who have already clinched a playoff spot, still have games left against the Atlanta Falcons and the Arizona Cardinals.
Adams’ situation could not have come to a head at a worse time for the Rams.
The game against the Seahawks is the biggest of the season for both teams.
The Rams and Seahawks both have 11-3 records. But the Rams, the current top-seeded team in the NFC, hold the tiebreaker because of their 21-19 victory over the Seahawks on Nov. 16 at SoFi Stadium.
Adams, who turns 33 next week, has 60 catches for 789 yards.
Rookie Konata Mumpfield, a seventh-round draft pick from Pittsburgh, could be called on to fill Adams’ role in an offense that features star receiver Puka Nacua.
Mumpfield played 32 of 72 offensive snaps against the Lions. He has five catches for 42 yards and a touchdown.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford said that if Mumpfield had an expanded role against the Seahawks, he would have a “ton of trust and confidence,” in the rookie.
McVay noted that the Rams also have receivers Tutu Atwell, Xavier Smith and Jordan Whittington available.
“We’ve got a bunch of guys that have played meaningful football that know all the spots,” McVay said.
Defensive lineman Braden Fiske suffered an ankle injury against the Lions, and his status also will not be determined until game time, McVay said.
Etc.
McVay and wife Veronika on Monday welcomed their second son, Christian Alexander McVay. “Mom and baby are doing good, so what a blessing,” McVay said, “and what a crazy week to be playing on a Thursday.”…. Tight end Tyler Higbee and offensive lineman Rob Havenstein are eligible to be activated from injured reserve, but McVay said that would not happen because of the short turnaround. “Just because 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,” he said. “We’ll see where they’re at once we get past this one.”