Rams' tough start to 2026 season gets worse with Davante Adams injury update originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
So far this season, the Rams haven't been nearly the team many expected.
Entering 2026, L.A. was one of the Super Bowl favorites thanks to its star-studded roster, adding Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald and Trent McDuffie to an elite offensive core. Flash forward to Monday, and the Rams sat at 2-4, coming off an ugly loss to the Cardinals with mounting injury concerns.
On top of absences for Garrett, McDuffie, tight end Terrance Ferguson and new kicker Blake Grupe, Sean McVay announced a longer-term absence for star receiver Davante Adams.
Here's how long Adams will be out and how it impacts the Rams' offense moving forward.
MORE: 5 ways Sean McVay has failed the Rams so far in 2026
Davante Adams injury update
McVay said Monday that Adams will miss 6-to-10 weeks with a ruptured hamstring, per Adam Schefter.
Adams left Sunday's game against the Cardinals with a non-contact injury in the final minutes, coming up limping after sprinting on a route:
Davante Adams Hobbles Off The Sideline As He Is Clearly Injured In The Final Minute Of The Game. Looks Like He’s Holding His Knee And It’s A Non-Contact. Not Good. 😬 https://t.co/OcFc90rm1l
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) October 18, 2026
Adams' timeline puts him on track to miss the Rams' season through at least November, if not all of December as well. The tail end of his 10-week timeline would be a return in Week 16 for a Christmas Day matchup with the Seahawks.
The Rams' injury issues didn't end with Adams on Monday — McVay also announced lengthy absences for defensive tackle Kobie Turner and Grupe:
Some terrible #Rams injury news from Sean McVay today: WR Davante Adams (hamstring) out 6-10 weeks DT Kobie Turner (groin) headed to IR K Blake Grupe (knee) out for the season https://t.co/SfMU8uq8xt
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 19, 2026
Rams WR depth chart
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Puka Nacua |
| 2 | Davante Adams (out) |
| 3 | Jordan Whittington |
| 4 | Konata Mumpfield |
| 5 | Tutu Atwell |
Puka Nacua has remained the focal point of the Rams' high-powered passing attack, which has helped lead the offense to a No. 3-ranking 401.3 yards per game. Nacua, however, won't be able to take much of a wider workload, targeted 52 times over four games this season.
In Adams' absence, it's likely the Rams look for Mumpfield (8 catches, 127 yards, TD) and Whittington (2 catches, 12 yards) to step up in the receiver room, while Matthew Stafford will also likely be looking at his tight ends more often.
Tyler Higbee has become a reliable weapon for Stafford lately, posting 24 catches for 246 yards and a touchdown so far.
Adams' work in the red zone will be the toughest aspect to replace, scoring 14 touchdowns in 2025 and four so far in 2026.
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