The Los Angeles Rams (12-5) pay a visit to the Carolina Panthers (8-9) on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET, kicking off the Wild Card Weekend action. The game can be seen on FOX.
L.A. could be without one of its top skill position players, as Rams WR Davante Adams has missed three consecutive games.
Ahead of Saturday’s postseason clash, what’s the latest Davante Adams injury update? How would a potential absence impact the Rams’ fantasy football outlook and projections on PrizePicks?
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Davante Adams Injury Update: Will Rams WR Play in Wild Card Game vs. Carolina?
The injury report lists Adams with a hamstring injury, and his status looks hopeful after being a full participant at Tuesday’s practice. Furthermore, coach Sean McVay said on Monday he expects Adams to be available.
Los Angeles’ veteran wideout hasn’t made a full appearance since Week 13, as he posted snap shares of 42.9% and 45.8% in Week 14 and 15. In his last full outing, Adams recorded 4 catches, 58 receiving yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns on 5 targets. Despite dealing with an injury late in the regular season, the six-time Pro Bowler still led the league with 14 receiving touchdowns.
PrizePicks is projecting 4 receptions, 55.5 receiving yards, and a 13-point fantasy score.
With the Rams’ scoring machine expected to return to the lineup, how could this impact the team’s fantasy football outlook?
Rams’ Fantasy Football Outlook
According to PlayerProfiler, Adams sports a lofty 35.6% red zone target share, and his 24.8% target share (14th) and 1,444 air yards (11th) point to a healthy workload.
He averages 8.1 targets, 4.3 receptions, 56.4 receiving yards, and 1.0 receiving touchdown per contest. The former Fresno State Bulldog has been a red zone monster, racking up 11 receiving touchdowns over his last eight games. If Adams returns, his fellow pass catchers' will likely see fewer scoring opportunities.
Adams and Rams WR Puka Nacua could dominate the receiving workload, boasting 166 and 114 targets this season. The next-highest mark is only 56 targets from Parkinson.
Over Week 17 and 18, the Rams’ tight ends stepped up to the plate, most notably Colby Parkinson, who totaled 6.0 targets, 4.0 receptions, and 53.5 receiving yards per game in the split. For context, he averages only 3.7 targets, 2.9 catches, and 27.2 receiving yards per contest on the season. PrizePicks projects Parkinson to have 19.5 receiving yards for Saturday.
Rams rookie TE Terrance Ferguson also posted 2 receptions and 54 receiving yards per game in Week 17, compared to his 0.8 catches and 16.5 receiving yards per contest on the season.
In short, this passing attack could be a two-man show on Saturday.
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Make Rams vs. Panthers Picks on PrizePicks
Adams is tracking to make his return at the perfect time, giving the Rams’ receiving corps a touchdown magnet. With Los Angeles’ standout WR2 back in action, the Rams’ tight ends production could take a step back on Wild Card Weekend.
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