Injuries have suddenly decimated the Los Angeles Rams at a position that once seemed deep, especially with Puka Nacua now out long-term.
The Rams have won three straight games and are perhaps beginning to turn their season around. But there's still a hole to dig from, and they need all the offensive firepower possible, especially down the stretch as the clawing for a playoff spot intensifies.
So they need to get healthy fast, and beyond worrying about Nacua, they're also surely asking this question often: When will Davante Adams return?
It's a question that's beginning to come with a sprinkle of optimism, though Adams is still likely set to miss a few more weeks.
Rams vs. Cardinals Week 10 odds
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When will Davante Adams return?
Davante Adams will turn 34 years old on Christmas Eve, and there are realities to being of that vintage in the NFL, and especially for him after 13 seasons of punishment.
He's missed three games in each of the past two campaigns, and the veteran has already matched that mark this season due to his latest ailment. It's a ruptured tendon in his hamstring suffered during the closing minutes against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6.
The initial return timeline was broad and set at 6-10 weeks for an injury suffered on Oct. 18. He then underwent surgery in late October, and at that time a more optimistic recovery period was established, with head coach Sean McVay saying "it's probably closer to the shorter term."
McVay was then more specific on Nov. 11, saying that returning after the Rams' game against the Green Bay Packers in Week 12 is a "realistic timeline for him," according to ESPN's Sarah Barshop. If that holds, Adams benefits from the Rams' Week 11 bye, as because of it he could miss only two more games.
It's a critical development for a team with an offense structured around stretching the field, and the Los Angeles Rams usually boast the weapons to do that well. Yes, Adams is aging, and with that can come injury proneness. But he's been productive when healthy while scoring four times across six games this season, and registering two 130-plus-yard outings, including a 195-yard outburst in Week 2.
Davante Adams injury history
| Date | Team | Injury | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 12, 2013 |
 FRES |
Right shoulder AC joint sprain | Nov. 23, 2013 Played through injury; no games missed |
| Sept. 20, 2015 |
 GB |
Pedal ankle sprain (Grade 1/2) | Oct. 18, 2015 Missed 3 games |
| Jan. 10, 2016 |
GB |
Knee MCL sprain (Grade 2) | 2016 Offseason Missed playoff game |
| Oct. 16, 2016 |
GB |
Head cranial concussion | Oct. 20, 2016 No starts missed |
| Sept. 28, 2017 |
GB |
Head cranial concussion | Oct. 8, 2017 No starts missed |
| Dec. 17, 2017 |
GB |
Head cranial concussion (2nd) | 2018 Offseason Missed final 2 games |
| Dec. 23, 2018 |
GB |
Right knee strain (Grade 1) | 2019 Offseason Missed regular-season finale |
| Sept. 26, 2019 |
GB |
Pedal toe sprain (Turf toe) | Oct. 27, 2019 Missed 4 games |
| Sept. 20, 2020 |
GB |
Thigh hamstring strain (Grade 2) | Oct. 18, 2020 Missed 2 games |
| Nov. 15, 2020 |
GB |
Pedal ankle sprain (Grade 1) | Nov. 22, 2020 Played through / No games missed |
| Sept. 26, 2024 |
 LV |
Thigh hamstring sprain/pull (Grade 1) | Oct. 20, 2024 Missed 3 games |
| Nov. 9, 2025 |
 LAR |
Abdomen muscle sprain (Grade 1) | Week-to-week |
| Dec. 14, 2025 |
LAR |
Thigh hamstring sprain (Grade 3 tear) | 2025 Season Finale Missed final games |
| Oct. 18, 2026 |
LAR |
Left hamstring rupture / surgery | Placed on IR 6–10 week recovery timetable |
Who has replaced Davante Adams?
Effectively, the Rams' running backs have been replacing Adams, and especially Blake Corum.
There were four straight games when he didn't hit double-digit carries prior to Adams' injury. Since Adams went down, both the game scripts and offensive focus have shifted, with Corum getting 39 carries over the past three games while averaging 74.7 rushing yards and scoring in each outing.
That's been the most significant adjustment in Adams' absence, along with tight ends Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson also getting moderately increased roles. More directly at Adams' own position, Konata Mumpfield and Tutu Atwell have been receiving more snaps too, though with little production to show for it.
Davante Adams injury: Odds impact
Every win is valuable as the Rams push for the playoffs while currently sitting ninth in the NFC at 5-4. But they've been rolling over weak opponents recently in the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, and Washington Commanders.
They get another such mismatch in Week 10 against the 3-6 Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals stunningly upset the Rams during Adams' last healthy game, but now rookie quarterback Carson Beck is making his regular-season debut.
That's impacting the spread movement more than Adams' absence, as the latter has been assumed and baked in at this point, with oddsmakers no doubt correctly believing Los Angeles can get by just fine without the star wideout for another week. The spread opened with the Rams as -8.5 favorites, and it now widely sits at -9.5.
However, we see Adams' injury reflected in the total, and the health of the Rams' wide receivers more broadly. The total was set at 47.5 in the lookahead lines way back on Oct. 6, and it's now been spiraling downward to 39.5.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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