Sean McVay didn’t exactly deliver encouraging news for the Broncos when asked about Puka Nacua.
After Nacua sat out the Rams’ Week 2 game against the New York Giants, McVay said, "He's not making great progress."
That matters in a big way for Denver’s defense as the Broncos prepare to face the Rams in Week 3. Nacua is listed with a hip injury, though the issue is described as a soft tissue problem affecting both the hip and groin area. He had already been tagged questionable before being ruled out against the Giants, and now there’s a real chance he misses another week.
For the Broncos, that would be a welcome break.
Nacua is one of those players who changes the entire shape of an offense when he’s on the field. If he’s unavailable, Denver gets a major defensive boost because Pat Surtain II can stay locked on Davante Adams for the full game.
That matchup is the one the Broncos want. Adams already showed how dangerous he can be against the Giants, averaging 19.5 yards per target as the Rams found ways to stretch the field and isolate him on long routes. Without Nacua drawing attention on the other side, Los Angeles loses a major piece of the puzzle.
If Nacua does play, the Rams can lean into his presence and make Denver decide how much attention to give Adams. They could also target Riley Moss if needed. But if Nacua is out, the Broncos can keep Surtain focused on Adams and force the Rams to find production elsewhere.
That doesn’t mean Denver’s defense gets to relax. It just changes where the stress lands.
The Rams have made heavy use of 13 personnel this season, and they’ve been willing to feature their tight ends in the passing game. Terrance Ferguson is already second on the team in targets with 10, and the Rams also have Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, and Davis Allen in the mix. If Nacua is sidelined and Adams is dealing with Surtain, those tight ends could become the next pressure point for Denver’s defense.
So while the Broncos would clearly benefit if Nacua can’t go, they’d still have plenty to sort out. Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford have enough options to make adjustments. But if Nacua sits again, Denver will take that edge every time.
In Other News...
Broncos Gain One Edge But Key Week 3 Questions Still Linger
The Broncos got a little healthier at a spot that has mattered to their early-season rhythm, with Javonte Williams and De'Angelo Henderson both returning to full participation in practice this week. For a Denver offense still trying to find its footing, any lift in the backfield matters, especially with a Sunday night trip to face a Rams team also working through its own injury list.
Even so, the injury report still leaves a few important questions hanging over Week 3. Tim Patrick did not practice, Baron Browning was limited, and the Broncos will be watching closely as the week moves on, because availability at wide receiver and linebacker can shape both game plan and depth. Los Angeles has its own concerns, including tight end Tyler Higbee and linebacker Ernest Jones, which only adds another layer to a matchup that already feels like it could hinge on who is healthiest by kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Backfield Suddenly Has A Health Question Fans Cant Ignore
Jonah Coleman made the most of his Week 2 workload, turning 10 carries into 39 yards and a touchdown while leaning on advice from veteran J.K. Dobbins about staying ready for whatever chance comes next. For a Denver backfield already trying to establish some rhythm, that kind of production matters, especially with Coleman working through a sprained ankle and Dobbins listed day-to-day with leg cramps.
The Broncos do not need a full-blown injury alarm to feel the pressure here, but they do need clarity on how the rotation holds up if either back is limited. Colemans emergence gives the offense something to build on, yet the situation also reinforces how quickly the picture can shift behind the line of scrimmage, where availability often matters as much as performance. [Read more 🡒]
Vance Joseph Faces Another Brutal Test Against A Loaded Rams Offense
The Broncos are heading into another tricky defensive assignment, this time with Matthew Stafford and a Rams attack that can stress a game in several ways. Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has seen plenty of elite quarterback play in his time with the team, including matchups against Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, and the Broncos have gone 5-5 in those games under his watch.
This one could demand even more than just handling Stafford. Los Angeles also brings Davante Adams into the mix and a run game that can keep a defense from settling in, which puts a premium on discipline and communication for Denver. It comes at a time when the Broncos offense is already dealing with injuries and inconsistent quarterback play, so Joseph's unit may again need to carry a heavy load while the rest of the team sorts out its own issues. [Read more 🡒]