The Los Angeles Rams were finally whole again in Week 8. The Rams’ Week 8 victory over the Minnesota Vikings featured the returns of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, who had not played together since the season opener.
Unfortunately, that reunion may be on hold, with Nacua’s knee issues cropping up again. Here are the latest updates on the Rams’ second-year wide receiver.
What Is Puka Nacua’s Injury?
Nacua was supposed to speak to the media on Thursday, but a team official noted that a knee injury prevented him from fulfilling that obligation.
Rams WR Puka Nacua was scheduled for his weekly press conference today, but was not able to do it because he left practice with a knee injury, per a team official. He will be listed as “limited” on the injury report. McVay next speaks tomorrow.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) October 31, 2024
Further reporting from The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue revealed that this is the same right knee in which he suffered the PCL injury in Week 1 that caused him to miss five games. It’s unclear if this is a reaggravation of that PCL injury or an unrelated injury to the same knee.
This is the same knee as was previously injured, per team official https://t.co/ZpH5eTxZuH
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) October 31, 2024
Is Nacua Playing in Week 9?
The good news is that this does not appear to be as serious a knee injury as his first one from Week 1. On Thursday, the Rams immediately dispelled the notion that this injury could cause Nacua to miss a significant amount of time.
Rams WR Puka Nacua’s knee injury is not believed to be serious, per sources. His status on Sunday’s game at Seattle still is to be determined, but it does not appear to be any type of significant injury. pic.twitter.com/u2zZV3Y3Qz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2024
Speaking on Friday, head coach Sean McVay noted that Nacua will be limited as questionable, but sounded hopeful about the second-year receiver’s prospects of playing.
Sean McVay on Puka Nacua's knee: "Fortunately there's nothing structurally [wrong]. He'll be listed as questionable, but I wouldn't bet against this guy. My expectation is he’s going to do everything in his power to be ready to roll, and that's the mindset that we have."
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) November 1, 2024
Nacua was officially listed as questionable after logging a DNP in Friday’s practice.
In his return last week, Nacua played 53% of the snaps and recorded seven receptions for 106 yards. That was his first completed game since his rookie season when he set NFL rookie records in receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486).
How Might Nacua’s Absence Impact the Rams if Ruled Out?
We’ve seen the Rams be a funnel passing game before, and that’s almost certainly what would happen again if Nacua is out or heavily limited. Los Angeles showed a glimpse of this in the team’s Week 2 game against the Arizona Cardinals when Kupp played the first half without Nacua before suffering his own ankle injury.
In that game, Kupp garnered a whopping 33% of the team’s targets and had four receptions for 37 yards before his injury. For context, Justin Jefferson (34.1%) is the only player to receive at least 30% of his team’s targets for the whole season.
PUKA NACUA IS SO BACK FOR THIS RAMS OFFENSE
Already up to 34 receiving yards on two catches. pic.twitter.com/uMXbFbHAhh
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) October 25, 2024
We could see a similar target distribution Sunday against the Seahawks if Nacua can’t go. His absence wouldn’t necessarily result in a single Rams wide receiver earning must-start status besides Kupp, as the receiving picture beyond the top two has been muddled all year.
Demarcus Robinson has been the most consistent participant, running a team-high 33 routes per game. Tutu Atwell would be the upside play, as he’s earned a healthy 26.1% target rate when on the field. Atwell only played nine snaps with Kupp and Nacua back last week but averaged 48.5 snaps per game from Weeks 3-7.