Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Marvin Vettori says Paulo Costa’s weight fiasco at UFC Vegas 41 was ‘a trap’ (Video)
NFL Twitter was all ready to watch the Packers and Cardinals duke it out. Then Davante Adams landed on the COVID list and the disappointment was real.
Thursday’s meeting between the Packers and Cardinals was supposed to be a matchup of the two hottest teams in football.
Now one of those teams is going to go into the game severely weakened.
On Monday, Green Bay put star receiver Davante Adams on the COVID-19 list. He is highly unlikely to suit up on Thursday.
#Packers Davante Adams goes on reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Thursday’s game in AZ.
If it’s a false positive, he would need a second negative test within 24 hours of an initial negative test (so like, negative tomorrow and Wednesday) to play vs Cardinals.
— Rachel Hopmayer (@rachelhopmayer) October 25, 2021
So, you can assume that #Packers WR Davante Adams won’t play vs. the #Cardinals. Adams has said he is vaccinated, so he would not be sidelined if he were a close contact. Testing positive means he can return when he tests negative twice 24 hours apart. Not likely before Thursday.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) October 25, 2021
NFL Twitter processed the news in several different ways.
NFL Twitter was bummed out by Davante Adams COVID news
There was disappointment.
This TNF game between Packers & Cardinals was supposed to be something special to watch and now Davante Adams might not play in it because he’s on the COVID/Reserve list. This sucks
— Wise Words from Jules (@Im_DoubleDigits) October 25, 2021
There was panic.
https://twitter.com/Capalot4Mo/status/1452728473831813124?s=20
There was also a weird sense of optimism from some corners.
Aaron Rodgers in last 6 games without Davante Adams:
• 142/202
• 1,865 yards
• 17 TDs, 1 INT
• 125.2 passer rating
• 6-0
Yes this situation is very bad, but this game is still winnable.
— Daire Carragher (@DaireCarragher) October 25, 2021
The impact on the perception of the game was immediate, with a narrow edge to Arizona widening.
The Cardinals have activated OLB Chandler Jones from the COVID-19 list.
So while the Packers are staring at being without one of their stars in Davante Adams on Thursday night, Arizona is getting back one of its top players.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 25, 2021
Gamblers always know first. If you took this at 3.5 or 4 or 4.5, congrats.
DaVante Adams on the covid-19 list. Line already out to 5.5. No time for the negative tests, I gather https://t.co/Fwf44OzRSx
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) October 25, 2021
The Packers were +3 vs. Arizona earlier today.
But after the Davante Adams news, they are now +6.
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a WR move a line by three points.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) October 25, 2021
And, of course, the fantasy football element came into play.
Allen Lazard is rostered in 4 percent of Yahoo leagues. That number should go up BIG time with the Davante Adams news.
— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) October 25, 2021
Adams has been one of the best receivers in the NFL for a long while. This year he’s been practically unstoppable. He ranks third in the NFL with 744 receiving yards and second in receptions of more than 20 yards and first down receptions. He’s averaging 14.3 yards per catch.
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are on a six-game winning streak while the Cardinals are still undefeated. Thursday night is an opportunity for both sides to make it clear their for real. If Green Bay manages to win without Adams, it’ll just go to show how dangerous the team could be.
Still, that would be a lot to ask, even if they’ve managed to cope without Adams in the past.
The worry would be Adams missing more than one contest. After the game against Arizona, they have to travel to the struggling Chiefs.
