WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams are getting two of their best players back with their season on the line.

Wide receiver Davante Adams will make his return against the Carolina Panthers in Saturday’s road wild-card playoff game. Safety Quentin Lake will also make his return after a seven-game absence for elbow surgery.

The Rams have ruled out right guard Kevin Dotson and wide receiver Jordan Whittington. Tight end Terrance Ferguson and cornerback Josh Wallace are listed as questionable.

A three-time first-team All-Pro, Adams missed the past three games with hamstring and knee issues. But he practiced in full this week after a pair of practices last week in preparation for this game. He doesn’t see any issue in re-creating the strong connection he formed with quarterback Matthew Stafford around midseason.

“I’ve been out there catching balls last week at least, and still trying to find a way to stay connected with him,” Adams said. “I don’t think a couple weeks off at this point is going to deteriorate the success and the growth that we’ve been able to have over the course of the season.”

Adams became the first player in NFL history this season to lead the league in touchdown receptions with three different franchises. It took a little time for him to build chemistry with a new quarterback in Stafford who missed most of training camp, but Adams scored 14 times in 14 games, proving to be the red zone star the Rams envisioned when they signed him to replace Cooper Kupp in the offseason.

“As soon as I got to know him a little bit … you like him even more, and you hear the way that his brain works,” coach Sean McVay said. “You have an inclination and intuition when you watch the tape of how smart, cerebral and how passionate he is about the game. Then when you get to know him, I think we’re very similar personality-wise, competitiveness.”

Lake’s return is arguably just as big for a defense that has slipped some without him. The Rams believed enough in his status to extend him to a three-year, $42 million deal with $25.7 million guaranteed last week. Lake is a captain and one of the team’s most vocal leaders. He rotates between nickel cornerback, strong safety and free safety in a way that disguises the Rams’ looks between base and dime personnel, and he has also proven to be one of the team’s best run defenders.

The run defense allowed explosive gains and more than 6.0 yards per carry in recent losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons.

Lake’s return is especially significant against the Panthers, as the Rams allowed 164 rushing yards on 40 carries in a Week 13 matchup that was defined by physicality.

“He’s so versatile and he’s so physical,” McVay said. “He’s really just so productive in general. His communication, his command … there’s a reason why he’s been voted a captain for our group. He’s got this presence where you just feel better.