CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Davante Adams left the field briefly with blood in his mouth during the Rams’ 34-31 comeback win over the Panthers in the NFC wild-card game on Saturday after he took a violent hit to the head.
The receiver was blasted by Panthers defensive back Nick Scott as he went up to haul in a deep pass from Matthew Stafford with less than six minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The crown of Scott’s helmet appeared to contact Adams’ chin, which ultimately dislodged the football from the Rams star.
Safety Nick Scott (21) hits wide receiver Davante Adams (17) in the head for a penalty in the second half of the Rams’ 34-31 comeback win over the Panthers in their NFC wild-card game on Jan. 10, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectAdams fell to the ground in what looked like a heap of pain.
He was ultimately able to get up and walk to the sideline, where he was spotted with blood on his tongue.
Adams, 33, headed into the blue medical tent to get checked out by trainers, but he returned to the game a few minutes later.
Scott, meanwhile, was flagged for a personal foul.
Davante Adams lays on the ground after taking a hit to the head by Nick Scott on a catch attempt during the second half of the Rams’ comeback win over the Panthers. APAfter the game, Adams told reporters he injured “a little bit of everything” in his mouth during the play.
“The head was fine — it was more of my jaw kind of, you get caught in a weird way and my jaw felt a little weird,” he said. “Bloody tongue a little bit and bit the inside of my mouth.”
Prior to the snap, Adams had recorded just two catches for 33 yards. He finished the game with five receptions for 72 yards.
