Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua has been the best player at his position this season. He currently leads the league in receiving yards (616) and receptions (54) in six games this season.
Unfortunately for the Rams’ offense, Nacua suffered an ankle injury in the Week 6 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter. The star wide receiver will likely be out for the Week 7 matchup in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
While losing Nacia is a major blow to the offense, as he has been quarterback Matthew Stafford’s favorite weapon this season, the Rams have someone to fill his place this weekend with $44 million signing, Davante Adams, who is the second-leading receiver for the Rams.
Adams has the second-most receiving yards (396) for the Rams and tied for the most touchdown receptions (3). With the new Rams weapon filling in for Nacua in Week 7, players will need to step up after Adams.
One NFL writer lists two players who need to step up against the Jaguars with Puka Nacua out.
Jordan Whittington
GettyLos Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington
Puka Nacua accounts for around a third of Stafford’s passing yards, so losing him is a massive loss ahead of Week 7.
Turf Show Times Blaine Grisak’s named Jordan Whittington as one player who needs to step up ahead in London.
“This is the one that makes a lot of sense as for who will play in Nacua’s role in the offense if he misses time. Whittington is similarly built to Nacua and is able to do a lot of the same things. This isn’t to say that Whittington is going to dominate the target share or is as good as Nacua,” Grisak wrote.
“However, in terms of a player who can play and succeed in that role in the offense, it’s most certainly Whittington.”
Whittington is the fifth most targeted receiving target for the Rams this season, hauling in 112 yards, with one catch being for a 40-yard gain.
With multiple options in the receiving core and a good running game, Whittington has not seen many snaps, but could have a breakout game in England with Puka injured.
Tutu Atwell
GettyTutu Atwell #5 of the Los Angeles Rams
A second player Grisak urges to step up against Jacksonville is fifth-year receiver Tutu Atwell, who signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the team in the offseason to remain with the Rams.
“Without Nacua, Atwell is the most experienced wide receiver in the Rams offense. While he doesn’t provide the blocking upside, he knows the offense better than most. While he had a slow start to the season, Atwell was starting to get more looks against the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers,” Grisak wrote.
“When the Rams have been without Nacua and Kupp, it has been Atwell that has stepped up… Atwell will need to show that he is healthy, but in the past, he’s been the guy to step up when the situation has called for it.”
Atwell has been the third most productive receiver on the LA Rams this season, logging in 164 receiving yards and a single touchdown on just four catches.
The wide receiver suffered a hamstring injury and has been a limited participant in practice this week. While it is likely he will play against the Jags, his snap count may be hindered due to his injury.
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