LOS ANGELES — Star wide receiver Puka Nacua did not practice Friday afternoon for the Rams and appeared on the injury report with a hip injury.
Nacua, who missed parts of the preseason with a injury of his core and lower back muscle, played in the season-opening defeat against the San Francisco 49ers. The 25-year-old wideout recorded five receptions for a team-high 74 yards in the 27-7 defeat, a slight bright spot for the Rams who struggled in the first NFL regular-season game in Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
On Thursday afternoon, Nacua was a full participant in practice. Before the segment of practice that the media is allowed to watch Friday concluded, Nacua walked out toward the field in team-issued blue shirt and shorts, rather than football gear.
When asked about his recovery from his psoas injury early last week, Nacua said that it feels “great.” Nacua returned to practice in full during the preparation for Week 1.
“Being out there on the field just being able to move around, especially with some of the isolation and not being able to participate in all of the team drills, lifting and things like that, being around the guys I think has got some of that energy and blood flowing in the body, and then also being excited to have that preparation of coming into game one. It’s been great,” Nacua said.
Nacua continued: “(Senior Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance) Reggie (Scott) and the crew in there, especially [Associate Director, Athletic Trainer and Return to Play Coach) Mark (Dydasco) that I work with have been great every day. Just constant communication about how we’re feeling and what’s the best way for us to move forward.”
Rams coach Sean McVay is set to speak with the media Saturday, but did not speak Friday afternoon, which was a planned coordinators day with offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and defensive coordinator Chris Shula speaking at the podium before practice.
The Rams host the New York Giants for their home opener at 5:15 p.m. Monday at SoFi Stadium.
Extra points
The Rams signed safety Tanner Ingle off their practice squad and onto the active roster Friday morning. Ingle was active for the season opener last week in Melbourne, Australia, when he was elevated off the practice squad, and could be cover for Week 2 if Kamren Kinchens (hamstring) or safety Kam Curl (ankle) are unable to go against the New York Giants.
Outside of Nacua, wide receiver Jordan Whittington also did not practice Friday with a quadricep injury and safety Kinchens remained out for a second consecutive day. Kinchens worked off to the side with a trainer during the media-watching period of practice.
Inside linebackers Nate Landman (shoulder) and Omar Speights (hip) remained limited, and so did Curl on Friday.
Wide receiver Davante Adams, who rested Thursday, returned to practice in full.