/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/W3HQEEZWKWAJ7LTKKNS4XDTMXU.jpg "Former USF standout Rodney Adams (13) has seven catches in two preseason games for the Bears.")
Hours after watching his wife Madison deliver a baby girl, Rodney Adams continued his re-birth of sorts.
The former USF and Lakewood High speedster, who left the game for roughly two years, had a 73-yard touchdown catch from Bears quarterback Andy Dalton in Chicago’s 41-15 loss Saturday to the Bills at Soldier Field.
But that streak down the right sideline may not have been his most impressive route of the weekend. After logging roughly five hours’ sleep on a couch, Adams darted directly from a Chicago hospital — where daughter Brexleigh Michelle Adams was delivered — to the stadium, where he finished with three receptions.
After reaching the end zone, Adams, who spent the 2020 season on the Bears’ practice squad, celebrated by rocking the ball like an infant.
“I mean, amazing isn’t even the word,” said Adams, who set USF season records for receiving yardage (822 in 2015 and 2016), receptions (67 in 2016) and touchdown catches (nine in 2016). “Having her (Friday) then coming out, scoring a touchdown for her, for my wife, man it’s crazy.”
A fifth-round pick of the Vikings in 2017, Adams, 26, has appeared in one career NFL game. He retired briefly in April 2018 before signing with the Bears last August and spending last season on Chicago’s practice squad.
So far, he has bolstered his chances of making the 53-man roster with seven catches in two preseason contests.
“Andy gave me a good ball,” Adams said of his scoring catch. “He gave me a chance to go up and get it, and I made a play.”
Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.
• • •
Sign up for the Bucs RedZone newsletter to get updates and analysis on the latest team and NFL news from Bucs beat writer Joey Knight.
Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/4b0e0260-d903-499d-824c-f108d2993f72.png "Joey Knight - Bucs Reporter")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/jzXAmXIn_h8o0YPRIKQHrvXLWsY=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/F4FZZ2UFGRG6JNH2QW6KTVQ6MI.JPG "Bucs’ running back drought continues")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/GoAqzrF3qg_TUCcbv2E3BROWURY=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/POGS6Z33XZGZZFUHFNWBO4ED3M.jpg "Florida Museum of Photographic Arts now open in new Ybor City space")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/TF7IQ2W5CVLPOW6FVTRKRSVMGI.jpg "Young receivers step up with Bucs touchdowns after Mike Evans’ injury")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/Y6HTOQMD2RBKTDPLJ4ZVJABPTY.jpg "Baker Mayfield narrowly avoids injury, uses legs to survive Saints")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DVSERV4D5D26OGB2A2MDKQQMSE.jpg "Live updates: Bucs beat Saints, take over first place in NFC South")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4BA2JDA5PBECFL4TK6LGDVANCM.jpg "Bucs stifle Saints to take control of the NFC South")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FKIBDFHWEI6SWBQRM6HEKJISCQ.jpg "How the Saints, Marshon Lattimore bring out the fight in Mike Evans")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/AYY3GMBN7BGC3BOTINXCTNG4QA.jpg "Bucs defense prepares to face Saints and maybe Jameis Winston")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LEMNJGX34HBUGMCNDIQTRUZ5U4.jpg "Pro football leagues XFL and USFL announce intent to merge")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/6KO3CPYLD5FITCJIAKMPG2QTJY.jpg "Dave Canales ‘stubborn’ about finding run-pass balance in Bucs offense")