
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams recaptured his youth in an incredible throwback performance on Monday. He may have to do it all over again in Week 3.
On Wednesday, head coach Sean McVay told reporters that 2025 first-team All-Pro wideout Puka Nacua (groin) would be held from practice four days before a prime-time showdown at the Denver Broncos (1-1). Nacua also missed Week 2's rebound 28-6 win over the New York Giants, and until he's cleared for practice, the Rams will be expected to lean on Adams.
And even as an elder statesman, it just might work.
Rams WR Puka Nacua will not practice today due to his groin injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 23, 2026
During Week 2 , Adams had eight receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns, becoming only the fourth player in NFL history to record at least 195 receiving yards in a game during his 13th season or later, per Stathead research.
He feasted no matter the coverage, winning his one-on-one matchups with cornerback Greg Newsome in in man coverage, including with an unbelievable individual effort late in the first half, then a nice adjustment on a perfectly thrown ball from quarterback Matthew Stafford five minutes into the third quarter.
Davante Adams Hauls In The Catch And Watch As All-Out Chaos Ensue As The Rams Try To Spike The Ball. pic.twitter.com/RFEvs7BfNq
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) September 22, 2026
Davante Adams is having himself a night ️@NYGvsLAR on ESPN
— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2026
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/fG4wYtRTm1
His matchup against Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the 2024 Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year, on "Sunday Night Football" could be one of the most compelling of Week 3.
But through two games, Denver's played a higher rate of zone (56.3 percent), according to FTN Fantasy data, than man, which could play into Adams' favor based on his dominant Week 2. According to FTN Fantasy, Adams led all receivers during the second week of NFL action in yards per route run (8.83) versus zone.
It would be overly optimistic to expect Adams, who turns 34 in December, to duplicate his Giants performance this Sunday, particularly against a much better Broncos defense. But with Nacua's status in doubt, Los Angeles may hope he left something in the tank.
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