Puka Nacua injury update: Rams star misses practice again ahead of Broncos game

The Rams walked out of SoFi Stadium on Monday night with a win, despite their superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua watching from the sidelines. 

Without Nacua, quarterback Matthew Stafford looked for veteran receiver Davante Adams and even got sophomore tight end Terrance Ferguson involved in the offense. Now, the question is whether the Rams will have to do that again on Sunday against the Broncos.

Nacua was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday’s walk-through as the All-Pro receiver continues to deal with the lingering groin/hip injury that unexpectedly knocked him out of the Rams’ 28-6 victory over the Giants. 

“These soft tissue things, I wish I had better information,” Rams coach Sean McVay said Wednesday.

So do the Rams.

Nacua practiced fully last Thursday and reportedly “didn’t feel totally like himself.” He told McVay he wasn’t able to hit his full speed and wasn’t 100%. Soreness surfaced the following morning, and he didn’t practice on Friday or Saturday. 

Nacua was listed as a game-time decision and was out on the field for pregame warmups before deciding he wasn’t well enough to suit up against the Giants on “Monday Night Football.”

“When you have soft tissue injuries with guys like that that are skilled players, you’re going to err on the side of caution,” McVay said.

That caution is understandable considering Nacua spent much of the preseason battling groin and psoas issues around the same lower-back, core and hip region. McVay has maintained this latest injury is separate, and there is no indication the two are connected.

Still, the location makes it worth monitoring.

McVay said Nacua’s current issue can sometimes be “pre-hernia,” while emphasizing that the receiver does not have a hernia and that rest is typically the best remedy.

McVay and the Rams are hopeful Nacua can return to practice later this week and potentially play against the Broncos on Sunday. 

Nacua played in the season opener in Melbourne and caught five passes for 74 yards in the 27-7 loss to San Francisco. For now, those remain his only catches this season — and the Rams aren’t interested in turning a September soft-tissue injury into an October problem.

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