Rams Receive Unfortunate Update on Award-Winning Playmaker Before Jaguars Game

The Los Angeles Rams are expected to be shorthanded in Week 7, when they will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua suffered an ankle injury in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens, leaving his status in doubt.

Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed his initial report of an ankle injury for Nacua, labeling the 2023 Pro Bowler and Offensive Rookie of the Year “day-to-day.”

However, it sounds more like Nacua could be week-to-week with the ankle injury.

Rams WR Puka Nacua ‘Seriously in Doubt’ vs Jaguars in London

GettyPuka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before a game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Nacua leads the Rams and the league with 54 receptions entering Week 7, tallying 616 yards and 2 touchdowns on the season. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Nacua’s status for Week 7 is “seriously in doubt,” despite McVay’s optimism.

“Our understanding – me and Mike Garafolo – is that he is seriously in doubt for this week,” Rapoport reported on “Good Morning Football” on October 15. “Sean McVay called him day-to-day, said they will learn more about his participation as they go throughout the week. They got the Jags this week and then a bye. So, it could heal in about two weeks.”

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler echoed those sentiments. Fowler also noted that Nacua’s playing style could be a factor.

Nacua and the Rams’ other receivers are essential in the run game as blockers, too.

“The Rams head to London with uncertainty around the league’s receptions leader,” Fowler wrote on October 15. “Receiver Puka Nacua avoided major damage to his ankle Sunday against Baltimore, but the people I’ve talked to believe he is a long shot Sunday against Jacksonville. Los Angeles gets a much-needed bye week after that, giving Nacua and others the chance to heal. Nacua’s physical style of play could lead the Rams to sit him.”

Nacua led in receiving yards, too, entering Week 6. However, Nacua posted a 2-28-0 line while Seattle Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba went off for 162 yards and 1 TD on eight receptions against the Jaguars.

He still holds a nine-reception lead over Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers.

Rams Pass Catchers Must Step Up if Puka Nacua Sits

GettyDavante Adams #17 of the Los Angeles Rams in action against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Rams will need more from Davante Adams, who will draw more attention from opposing defenses as long as Nacua sits, if at all.

However, they also need some of their younger, less-proven options and different position groups to step their production up in Nacua’s potential absence. The Rams were also without Tutu Atwell in Week 6 due to a hamstring injury.

They still have 2024 sixth-round pick Jordan Whittington and 2025 seventh-rounder Konata Mumpfield, and could lean on them.

Running back Kyren Williams and, even more, the tight ends, led by Tyler Higbee, must step up.

Those are veteran players in deep rooms, and they could be safety blankets for Matthew Stafford if he finds it more difficult to get Adams the ball without Nacua on the field. The Rams have much larger goals than beating the Jaguars, though that is part of it.

With the bye looming, the Rams could err on the side of caution with Nacua, taking a macro approach to the situation.

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