Matthew Stafford didn’t sound alarmed after Puka Nacua was escorted off the field during Tuesday’s joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys.
The Rams quarterback said he never saw what led to the wide receiver’s early exit, and he pointed to the reaction around the field as a reason not to panic. “I did not. I’m not really sure what the issue was, but nobody ran up to me in a panic, so I don’t think it was anything too major,” he told reporters.
Nacua left with trainers and did not come back, even though he had been active earlier in the session. Sean McVay didn’t have a firm update either, but the Rams coach did note that other receivers handled more of the workload once Nacua was out.
That’s not the only issue hovering over Nacua right now. The receiver is still under NFL review for possible personal conduct discipline, with offseason incidents and a civil lawsuit continuing to cloud his status. That situation could affect whether he’s available for the season opener against the 49ers in Australia.
For the Rams, the concern is obvious. Nacua led the league in receptions last season and sits at the center of the passing game. Stafford leans on him heavily when the offense needs a play.
So even if this latest practice exit doesn’t turn into anything serious, it adds another layer of uncertainty to a player already waiting on the league’s next move. On Tuesday, ESPN insider Adam Schefter had already flagged possible discipline for Nacua and other players, and a short-term injury on top of that only makes the picture murkier.
Stafford’s comments offered some comfort, but the Rams are still left waiting. The team will keep a close eye on Nacua in the days ahead, with both his health and the league’s review still unresolved.
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