UPDATE – 12:20 p.m. ET, Dec. 18 - Davante Adams is officially listed as doubtful to play tonight on Thursday Night Football due to. his hamstring injury.
Rams WR Davante Adams injured his hamstring in the fourth quarter of the Week 15 game vs. the Lions. Adams stayed down on the field before eventually walking off the field under his own power and was eventually ruled out for the game.
With a quick turnaround for Thursday Night Football, Adams — the Rams’ best end-zone threat — could be in jeopardy of missing a key divisional matchup vs. the Seahawks.
Let’s take a look at the latest Davante Adams injury updates for the Week 16 Thursday Night Football game vs. the Seahawks and get the latest news on if Adams is playing.
We’ll also break down key stats and PrizePicks picks for Rams WR Puka Nacua and TE Colby Parkinson, who both would be forced to step up if Adams is unable to play on Thursday.
Davante Adams Injury Update: Is Adams Playing Tonight vs. Seahawks?
Rams star WR Davante Adams is officially listed as week-to-week after re-aggravating a previous left hamstring injury in Week 15 vs. the Lions. Adams did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday, leaving his Week 16 status in jeopardy.
Week 16 is the most important game of the 11-3 Rams season to this point, as they face the 11-3 Seahawks, with the winner of this game taking a one-game lead in the NFC West with two weeks to go, also claiming the #1 seed in the NFC.
Adams is having a fantastic first season with the Rams, accumulating 789 yards on 114 targets to go along with a remarkable 14 TDs — the most in the NFL, leading the league by 3 TDs.
Since Week 7, Adams has accounted for 36% of all of Matthew Stafford’s TD passes, highlighting his integral role to the Rams offense and the Rams QB’s MVP campaign.
Adams' potential absence would leave a massive void in the Rams passing game, specifically in the red zone. Adams’ main goal-line route tree consists of either a quick slant or a goal-line fade, which has often looked unstoppable this year.
Eight of Adams’ first twelve TDs were from within 5 yards of the end zone. If he is out, those yards, targets, and TDs will funnel elsewhere — likely with WR Puka Nacua leading the charge, and TE Colby Parkinson potentially seeing an uptick in usage.
What Rams Receivers to Target If Davante Adams is Out?
It’s tough to find any sort of positive matchup vs. this Seahawks defense, and it’ll only get more difficult for the Rams if theyre missing their top receiver.
The Seahawks defense has been lights out, ranking fifth in the league in expected points added (EPA) per dropback at -.11 while also being the league's best run defense in EPA this year at -.14.
They do this with a ton of two-high safety looks, aiming to limit explosive plays and funnel targets towards the middle of the field. This is where Puka Nacua and Colby Parkinson can potentially find some success; more than half of Nacua’s receiving yards (690) have come between the hashes, per PFF.
Not much needs to be said about Puka Nacua, despite missing one game this season, he is still tied for fifth in the NFL in targets (129) and second in the league in yards (1367). Adams' potential absence will simply create even more opportunities for one of the league’s true alpha WR’s.
Last week, the Rams upped their usage of 13 personnel running a lot of three tight end looks with Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson, and Davis Allen. Excluding Tyler Higbee — who is on IR, Parkinson leads the Rams TE in routes run (156), receptions (31), receiving yards (298), and target share (9.45%).
As highlighted above, the Seahawks’ one weakness on defense has been vs. tight ends. According to PFF, the Seahawks allow the fifth most targets (121) and fourth most yards (952) to the TE position.
Puka Nacua Stats, Projections vs. Seahawks for TNF
Here are the most popular Puka Nacua picks for Rams vs. Seahawks on Thursday Night Football, via PrizePicks where you can pick More or Less on player stats to win real money in every NFL game.
- 10.5 Targets
- 7.5 Receptions
- 91.5 Receiving Yards
- 27.5 Yards Longest Reception
- 0.5 Rush + Rec TD (Demon)
- 20.5 Points Fantasy Score
Colby Parkinson Stats, Projections vs. Seahawks for TNF
Here are the most popular Colby Parkinson picks for Rams vs. Seahawks on Thursday Night Football, via PrizePicks where you can pick More or Less on player stats to win real money in every NFL game.
- 5.5 Targets
- 3.5 Receptions (Goblin)
- 36.5 Receiving Yards
- 9 Points Fantasy Score
- 15.5 Yards Longest Reception
- 0.5 Rush + Rec TD (Demon)
Make Thursday Night Football Picks on PrizePicks
The Rams may be without WR Davante Adams for Thursday’s Week 16 game vs. the Seattle Seahawks due to a hamstring injury. If the NFL’s touchdown receptions leader misses this game, the most likely beneficiaries are WR Puka Nacua and TE Colby Parkinson.
Without Adams, there are still plenty of Rams vs. Seahawks picks for Thursday Night Football on PrizePicks to win real money if you’re right. Just pick at least two NFL player stat projections, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right!
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