Davante Adams Out vs. Vikings with Concussion Suffered on Hit by Thomas Davis

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings after suffering a concussion in Week 15 following an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit from Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis.

Davis was penalized for the play and originally suspended for two games, though that punishment was reduced to a one-game suspension upon appeal. 

Davis apologized to Adams for the hit on social media, though Adams didn't seem inclined to accept the apology:

Adams, 24, has now suffered three concussions in the past three years, and for a Packers team already eliminated from postseason contention, there's little need to rush him back into action—or play him at all—this season. 

Head coach Mike McCarthy said the team would err on the side of caution with Adams, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com:

"We're going to be smart. We're not going to take any chances.

"You don't release a player out of the protocol until he's ready to play. That's the way we've always done it, whether that's more conservative I can't tell you as far as how we can compare it to other teams. But our players don't come out of the protocol until we feel they're ready to play. That's why you'll see we've had certain players be trial return in practice because there's different stages that you have to go through, but until they clear, they're not eligible to play."

Adams arguably is already the team's best wideout, registering 74 receptions for 885 yards and 10 touchdowns, impressive numbers considering Aaron Rodgers spent a good chunk of the season on the sidelines. He built on a breakout 2016 campaign that saw him catch 75 passes for 997 yards and 12 scores. 

There are also financial considerations for Adams, as he'll be an unrestricted free agent after the season. Teams will take his concussion history into account when deciding on whether they want to make a lucrative financial commitment to the young wideout, especially if he returns to action and suffers a third concussion this season. 

Adams, however, seemingly wants to be out on the field.

"He's pissed off, he's irritated, he's angry," McCarthy said, according to Mike Spofford of Packers.com. "He wants to be out there. He's our best perimeter player. He was knocked out of the game at a critical time in the game and now he can’t play. It's only natural. He’s irritated that he's in this spot."