The Magpie vice-captain was subbed out in the second quarter of his side's six-point win and has been ruled out for the rest of the home-and-away season after scans revealed the strain.
Collingwood said in a statement he would be further assessed in the coming weeks but his finals campaign would appear in doubt given the severity of the injury.
While potentially missing Adams for the finals would be a blow, his absence could yet hurt Collingwood before then as they look to finish in the top four to secure the double chance.
The Magpies currently sit third on the ladder and are a game clear of fourth but face top-eight teams in Melbourne, Sydney and Carlton to close the regular season.
Richmond captain Dylan Grimes is also in doubt for the finals after injuring his hamstring in Sunday's win against Brisbane.
Grimes, who was subbed out during the third quarter, said he wasn't giving up on returning this season but added he might need his team to win a final or two for him to be ready to play.
"It's not a great time of year to get injured, but I'm still hopeful at this stage," he told Channel Seven.
"So trying to stay positive ... I'll see what the doctors say but I'm not putting a line through the season at all.
"I hope the Tigers can keep winning and give me every opportunity to get back.
"They (hamstrings) can be funny things. Sometimes it will feel really bad the morning after but they come good pretty quick, so hopefully that's the case with this one."
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