Puka Nacua was back on the field for the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday despite dealing with a calf injury before kickoff and a previous hip issue, and he made the most of it in a 35-21 win over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.
Nacua finished with eight catches for 68 yards and a touchdown, finding the end zone on an 11-yard score in the second quarter as the Rams built a 28-3 lead before cruising the rest of the way. The performance came against a Raiders team trying to settle into a new identity under coach Klint Kubiak, and Nacua said he focuses on staying ready the best way he can.
“I definitely try to stay warm on the sidelines. Just try to figure out how I can best feel out there on Sunday and doing everything I can,” Nacua said, adding how he's “super grateful” for everyone in the trainer's room who keeps him healthy and in tact.
His presence also fit into a bigger moment for Matthew Stafford. The 2021 Super Bowl winning QB became the Rams’ all-time leading passer after throwing for 148 yards in the first half, and he also remains the all-time passing yards leader for the Detroit Lions, making him the only quarterback to rank first in that category for two different teams.
The win mattered for Los Angeles, which entered at 2-4 and carrying a two-game losing streak into Sunday. Vegas came in on its own skid after opening 3-0 under Kubiak. With the victory, the Rams moved to 3-4 and gave their fans some relief after the last two weeks.
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For a defense that has needed fresh legs, their development matters beyond the immediate fill-in work. Both players have limited game experience, but what they show over the rest of the season could shape the Rams thinking on roster spots and contract decisions going forward. [Read more 🡒]
Puka Nacua Gives Rams One Huge Week 7 Concern
Puka Nacuas name showed up on the Rams injury report with a calf issue, and that alone changes the feel of a Week 7 matchup that already had enough moving parts. Listed as questionable against the Raiders, Nacua has missed two games this season and has not been able to practice fully, leaving Los Angeles with one of its most important pass-catching pieces in genuine doubt going into the weekend.
The timing is especially awkward for a Rams offense that is already planning around Davante Adams being sidelined with a hamstring injury. With so much expected to run through Nacua in the passing game, the Rams now have to manage the possibility that their top target may end up as a game-time decision, turning a key divisional-weekend style test into an early stress point for the offense. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Face A Tough Puka Nacua Decision In Week 7
Puka Nacuas availability has become one of the biggest Week 7 questions for the Rams after he hurt his calf in practice and landed on the questionable list. For a team that has leaned on him as a central piece of the offense when hes healthy, the timing is far from ideal, especially with his history of missing games because of injuries.
The Rams now have to weigh the short-term benefit of having him on the field against the risk of making the calf issue worse. If they decide to be cautious, it would open the door for other offensive options to take on a larger role, but it also leaves Los Angeles facing a real test in how much it can ask from the rest of the group without one of its most dependable weapons. [Read more 🡒]