Getty Seahawks safety Jamal Adams at MetLife Stadium on October 2, 2023.
The Seattle Seahawks matchup against the New York Giants marked Jamal Adams’ first game back in 385 days, as the safety suffered a season-ending quadriceps tear in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season.
However, during just the 10th play of the game at MetLife Stadium on Monday Night Football on October 2, Adams suffered a head injury. Adams appeared to get kneed in the head while tackling Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and looked wobbly getting up.
He needed assistance to walk to the medical tent but Adams did not want to leave the game and tried to walk it off.
Damn, hope Jamal Adams is okay… took a knee to the head and went to the medical tent with help
The veteran was seen yelling at an official in a red hat, the “unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant,” per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, after being in the medical tent. However, he was eventually led to the locker room for further evaluation.
Jamal Adams being separated from the NFL red-cap concussion advisor by #Seahawks team staff. Adams yelled and pointed. Eventually led to the Seattle locker room without his helmet
Injured on the 10th play of his return, Giants QB Daniel Jones’ knee to Adams’ helmet
The Seahawks officially ruled out Adams for the rest of the game, which is not only a tough blow for the Seahawks defense but also a deeply frustrating moment for the veteran safety. The Seahawks are on bye in Week 5, so hopefully Adams will be able to return in Week 6.
Jamal Adams Called Returning to Play an ‘Opportunity of a Lifetime’
Last year, Jamal Adams suffered a season-ending torn quad tendon in the first game of the year.
In his first game back today, he left the game with an apparent head injury 💔
Adams was so hyped to finally suit up and make his NFL debut after 13 months away. “I’m just grateful to be back out there,” Adams said, per the Seahawks’ official website.
“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. I don’t take it for granted, I don’t take days for granted. This injury, it didn’t just teach me more about the game of football, it taught me a lot about life—what my purpose is and just how I go about my business.”
“It’s a real humbling experience that I went through,” Adams said of his lengthy rehab, during which he was in a cast for over 20 weeks and couldn’t even go to the bathroom by himself.
“My mindset is a lot sharper, the details of what I went through, nobody could honestly understand unless you’ve been through it. It’s definitely something I don’t wish on anybody, but I made it out, and I’m just looking forward to the journey and I’m looking forward to the seasons.”
Pete Carroll Had Big Plans for Jamal Adams
GettySeahawks strong safety Jamal Adams during pregame warm-ups at Lumen Field on September 19, 2021.
After the Seahawks made the surprise move to sign former Giants safety Julian Love this offseason, there were rumors that Adams, who signed four-year, $70.5 million contract with the Seahawks in 2021, was on the chopping block.
However, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll shut down the narrative. “I know there’s some conversation that what we did with Julian, does that have some impact on Jamal or [fellow safety] Quandre [Diggs] — it doesn’t,” he said, per ESPN. “We have a clear thought of what we’re going to do with our guys and how we want to play them and we feel very fortunate to have all our guys.”
When Adams is able to return, Carroll is hoping to utilize all three safeties. “We’ve been on this awhile,” he said.
During an appearance on Seattle Sports earlier this week, Carroll’s excitement for Adams’ return was palpable.
“Our expectations are probably really high that he’s going to stop every play and make every sack and all that. You can’t do that. But he’s going to be a fantastic addition,” Carroll said.
“Not to mention the emotional energy that he brings to this team, too. He loves to play the game. He’s going to be demonstrative and physical and all of that, and you’ll see him explode a couple times in this game, for sure. And that’s just a beautiful part of the defensive package when we get it going.”