FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Davante Adams is poised to make his first appearance for the New York Jets this Sunday evening against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The standout wide receiver was recently traded from the Las Vegas Raiders, and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich confirmed on Wednesday that Adams would take part in practices leading up to the game and is anticipated to play against Pittsburgh.
“I believe so,” Ulbrich stated. “Yep.”
Adams has been sidelined for the Raiders’ last three matchups due to a hamstring injury, a situation that coincided with his trade request. During a surprise segment on quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, Adams expressed optimism about his upcoming participation.
“I’m feeling great, man,” Adams remarked. “Fortunately, I’ll be able to roll.”
His return means that Adams will rekindle his on-field chemistry with Rodgers, which has been one of the most notable connections between a quarterback and wide receiver in recent NFL history. While in Green Bay, Adams caught a remarkable 615 passes from Rodgers, accumulating 7,517 yards and 68 touchdowns across eight seasons—a record that stands as the highest in all three metrics among currently active player pairings.
The 31-year-old had an impressive season last year, tallying 103 receptions for 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns for the Raiders, marking his fifth season with over 1,000 yards in six years, his only shortfall being 997 yards in 2019. This season, Adams has made 18 catches for 209 yards and a touchdown across three games.
Joining the Jets, Adams enters a bustling group of wide receivers, including Garrett Wilson, who leads the team with 41 receptions, alongside Allen Lazard, Mike Williams, Xavier Gipson, Irvin Charles, and rookie Malachi Corley. There are uncertainties about how Todd Downing, the new offensive play caller, will effectively incorporate Adams while ensuring everyone has a defined role within the offense.
“It’s a really cool problem to have,” Ulbrich commented. “It’s going to provide us with more versatility regarding how we maneuver these players. Sometimes it depends on the route concepts, sometimes on matchups, but it gives us the freedom to experiment with their alignments.”
Williams, a free agent acquisition last offseason, has struggled to build a connection with Rodgers. He was the targeted receiver during several interceptions thrown by Rodgers in critical moments during losses to the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings. The quarterback indicated that Williams misjudged his location during a crucial throw that was intercepted by Taron Johnson on Monday night. Adams’ entry particularly complicates Williams’ standing in the team’s offensive structure.
“We discussed it with Todd yesterday and this morning, and fortunately, Todd excels at assigning plays to specific players, ensuring everyone is involved in the offense,” Ulbrich noted. “So, Todd is on it. Each player will be woven into the game plan, getting their chances and moments in the spotlight.”
Injury Updates:
Ulbrich indicated that Rodgers would sit out Wednesday’s walkthrough to allow his injured left ankle some rest. The veteran quarterback had limited participation in practices the previous week before fully practicing last Saturday. Ulbrich expects Rodgers to return to practice on Thursday and believes he will be ready to compete on Sunday.
Cornerbacks D.J. Reed (groin) and Michael Carter II (back) were not anticipated to practice on Wednesday and might miss the upcoming game.
