The Rams may finally be getting a lift where they need it most. Sean McVay said Wednesday he believes Puka Nacua will be back on the field in Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles, a welcome update after the wideout missed back-to-back games with hip and groin injuries.
Nacua has played in just one game this season, Los Angeles’ 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. Since then, the Rams have been waiting on one of their best playmakers to get healthy again, and McVay’s latest update points toward a return at Lincoln Financial Field.
That would matter for a passing game that has leaned heavily on Davante Adams in Nacua’s absence. Adams has piled up 332 yards and two touchdowns over the past two weeks, becoming the centerpiece of the offense while the Rams searched for answers.
Los Angeles enters the week at 1-2, a start it likely didn’t see coming after three games. The Rams have clearly missed Nacua’s ability to stretch the field, especially against the New York Giants and Denver Broncos, and McVay’s group could use that spark as it tries to get back on track.
Nacua’s impact isn’t a mystery. Last season, the former fifth-round pick topped 1,700 yards and scored 10 receiving touchdowns, building on the breakout he launched in 2023. When he’s right, he changes the shape of the entire passing attack.
There may still be some caution built into how Los Angeles handles him, though. Nacua hasn’t practiced in nearly two weeks, and with two more days before the Eagles game, the Rams still have a little time to see how he responds.
Los Angeles heads to Philadelphia to face Jalen Hurts and the Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 4, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET on Fox.
In Other News...
Rams Pass Interference Frustration Is Fueling This NFL Debate
Controversial pass interference calls in Week 3 have pushed an old NFL argument back into the spotlight, with coaches once again weighing whether those penalties should be reviewable or challengeable. Around the league, the frustration is familiar: a single flag can reshape a drive, yet the sport has long struggled with how much oversight is too much once officiating starts to slow the game down.
Sean McVay added more fuel to the conversation by confirming the league agreed a pass interference penalty against the Rams was incorrect in a recent game. Across the division, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said he once supported allowing challenges on those calls, but he is more hesitant now because of the effect on game flow. For the Rams, it is another reminder that the debate is not just about fairness, but about what kind of game the NFL is willing to live with. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Fans Will Relate To Kelly Staffords Reaction After That Call
The Rams trip to Denver ended with plenty of frustration, and one late pass interference flag on Josh Wallace became the kind of call fans could not stop replaying in their heads. Jason Kelce even weighed in on the New Heights podcast, saying Broncos receiver Pat Bryants exaggerated wrist movement should have worked against the penalty, and Bryant later admitted he had indeed sold the contact to draw the flag. Denver then cashed in with the game-winning touchdown, leaving Los Angeles with another tough result to dissect.
Kelly Stafford seemed to capture the mood from the family side of the trip, sharing photos from Denver as the game played out. For Rams fans, it is the familiar mix of travel, emotion and officiating frustration that can make a loss linger a little longer, especially when a single call ends up shaping the final moments. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Offense Just Lost A Piece Sean McVay Has Counted On
Terrance Fergusons rookie season hit a setback this week, with the Rams placing the tight end on injured reserve because of a medial ankle sprain. The move means Ferguson will miss at least four weeks, taking away a young pass-catching option Sean McVay had been counting on as the offense tries to keep its depth intact.
To help cover the roster shuffle, Los Angeles elevated wide receiver Alex Bachman and defensive end Larrell Murchison from the practice squad. Fergusons absence also opens the door for rookie Max Klare to see more snaps at tight end, giving the Rams another chance to test their depth at a position that suddenly looks thinner than it did a few days ago. [Read more 🡒]
