McVay: Rams didn't trade for WR as Adams may return 'sooner than later'

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  Sarah BarshopNov 11, 2026, 04:46 PM ET

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  Sarah Barshop covers the Los Angeles Rams for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2016 to cover the Green Bay Packers for ESPN Milwaukee. She then moved to Houston to cover the Texans. She came to ESPN after working as a writer and editor for Sports Illustrated.

LOS ANGELES -- One of the reasons the Los Angeles Rams did not trade for a wide receiver before the NFL trade deadline, coach Sean McVay said, is because Los Angeles is "optimistic" that Davante Adams will return from his hamstring injury "sooner than later."

McVay initially said Adams, who ruptured his semitendinosus late in the Rams' Week 6 loss to the Cardinals, was expected to miss six to 10 weeks with the injury. McVay said Wednesday that Adams returning after the Rams host the Green Bay Packers in Week 12 is a "realistic timeline for him."

The Rams are currently without wide receiver Puka Nacua, who injured his right knee and toe on Sunday against the Washington Commanders. McVay said Wednesday that the Rams will not place Nacua on injured reserve related to roster mechanics, "but he still is going to be out for an extended period of time."

"It wasn't like any sort of new information," McVay said.

Nacua has 25 catches in his last two games, the second-most by a Rams player in the Super Bowl era, according to ESPN Research. The rest of the team has combined for 18 during that span.

The Rams did sign wide receiver Xavier Smith to the active roster Tuesday. He spent the first three weeks of the season on the Rams roster before they cut him. Los Angeles also put wide receiver Jordan Whittington on injured reserve on Tuesday with his back injury.

McVay also said the Rams want to make sure they activate tight end Terrance Ferguson from injured reserve before his 21-day clock ends. Ferguson, who injured his ankle in Week 3, returned to practice last week.

On Friday, he injured his hamstring, putting him out "a couple weeks," McVay said. McVay said Wednesday that the Rams' goal is to have a roster spot open for the tight end by the time the window closes, even if he's not ready to play. If the Rams do not activate him by then, he would be on injured reserve for the rest of the season.

The Rams lead the NFL in plays (226) and yards (1,211) with three tight ends on the field, according to ESPN Research. The Rams have the second-most touchdowns in 13 personnel.