After finding himself in the headlines for some of the wrong reasons during the offseason, things haven’t been all that smooth to start the 2026 NFL season for Puka Nacua either.
The Los Angeles Rams superstar wide receiver missed Week 2 with what the team was calling a hip injury, and after another week of limited practice participation, comments from head coach Sean McVay sparked some concern.
“We’ll see. You know, he’s not making great progress. But we’ll love to welcome Puka back with open arms, but if not, I’ve got a ton of confidence in the group that we will go with if he doesn’t go,”
ESPN insider Adam Schefter then provided a more in-depth update on Nacua’s health, reporting that the issue is primarily a groin injury:
“Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, who is doubtful for Sunday night’s game at Denver but could return as soon as next week against the Eagles, has been dealing with mainly a groin injury that has impacted his explosiveness, per league sources. Functinally, Nacua can play, but he has not felt like he can play with the same explosiveness he has had in the past. The Rams still view it as a short-term injury and think he’ll be back sooner rather than later. The organization does not believe surgery in this situation will be needed, but it’s also not entirely off the table if Nacua doesn’t show signs of improvement. Still, nobody is thinking that will be the direction this situation goes, and Nacua could be back next week,”
The 25-year-old Nacua is currently playing in the fourth and final year of the four-year, $4,084,980 contract he signed with the Rams upon being drafted in 2023. He racked up 1,715 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 129 receptions last season.
While Los Angeles should be able to tread water without Nacua in the short term, there’s no question they’ll need their best weapon back sooner rather than later to keep pace with the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers in the loaded NFC West.
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