Nacua was on and off the field due to two health concerns Sunday, first due to cramps and then a reported rib issue, even though he appeared to be favoring his right shoulder when he exited for the second time. Having said that, he was able to return and ended up with the fifth 100-yard performance (4-105-1 line on seven targets) of his rookie campaign that featured a 70-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. With the nature of his current injury clarified, there's a chance Nacua operates with practice restrictions this week as the Rams prepare for Sunday's game.
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Status
QUESTIONABLE - Shoulder - AC Joint - Not Specified Expected Return: 2023-12-10Latest Puka Nacua news
Receiving
| Year | Team | GP | REC | TGTS | YDS | AVG | TDS | LNG | YAC | YDS/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | LA | 12 | 77 | 118 | 1,029 | 13 | 4 | 70 | 399 | 86 |
Rushing
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG | FD | FUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | LA | 12 | 5 | 45 | 9 | 0 | 31 | 2 | 1 |
Nacua was on and off the field due to two health concerns Sunday, first due to cramps and then a reported rib issue, even though he appeared to be favoring his right shoulder when he exited for the second time. Having said that, he was able to return and ended up with the fifth 100-yard performance (4-105-1 line on seven targets) of his rookie campaign that featured a 70-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. With the nature of his current injury clarified, there's a chance Nacua operates with practice restrictions this week as the Rams prepare for Sunday's game.
The rookie wideout hauled in the first of three Matthew Stafford TDs on the afternoon, turning a slant route over the middle into a 70-yard score in the first quarter. It's Nacua's fifth 100-yard performance of the season but his first since Week 7, while the touchdown was his fourth. While Sunday's performance was encouraging and the Rams' passing game has some juicy matchups down the stretch, Nacua could have trouble maintaining his momentum in Week 14 against the Ravens.
Nacua first dealt with cramping and then exited the contest with a rib issue. However, he's back on the field for the Rams and will look to build off the four catches (on six targets) for 105 yards and one touchdown he put up before being sidelined Sunday.
Nacua exited twice in the second quarter, first due to cramps and then with an apparent shoulder injury. However, the Rams are calling it a rib issue, leaving him questionable to return. At the time he left the game, Nacua had four catches (on six targets) for 105 yards and one touchdown. Cooper Kupp should have plenty of volume come his way from quarterback Matthew Stafford moving forward, with Tutu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson, Ben Skowronek and Austin Trammell also on hand for WR reps.
Nacua initially was questionable to return in the middle of the second quarter due to cramps, but he was able to return, only to endure a hard landing on a leaping 20-yard grab. He stayed on the turf for some time before making his way to the sideline slowly with Rams trainers. If he's unable to return, Nacua will finish Week 13 with four catches (on six targets) for 105 yards and one touchdown on the strength of a 70-yard TD.
At the time Nacua left in the second quarter, he had a 70-yard touchdown among his three catches for 85 yards. As long as he's sidelined, the Rams' available wide receivers will be Cooper Kupp, Tutu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson, Ben Skowronek and Austin Trammell.
Nacua and Cooper Kupp curiously combined for only seven catches for 45 yards on an afternoon where Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes, with those scores all going to either Kyren Williams or Tyler Higbee. Nacua has now been under 50 receiving yards in three of his past four games, an undesirable stretch he'll aim to snap in a Week 13 home matchup against the Browns.
After coach Sean McVay said Monday that Nacua was dealing with a shoulder issue, it was no surprise that he opened Week 12 prep with practice restrictions. But with a full session under his belt Thursday, he's set to be available Sunday at Arizona. At the same time, the Rams' No. 1 wide receiver Cooper Kupp followed up Wednesday's absence with a cap on his reps one day later, leaving a question mark for the team's passing game ahead of the weekend. Friday's injury report may be revealing as it pertains to the potential for Kupp to play Sunday and thus its possible impact on Nacua.
During a media session Monday, McVay revealed that Nacua was tending to a shoulder injury after Sunday's win versus the Seahawks, and it's now impacting his on-field work during Week 12 prep. Nacua at least is practicing, though, which can't be said for Cooper Kupp due to the low ankle sprain that knocked him out of Week 11 action. With the health of the Rams' top two pass catchers up in the air, the situation bears watching to see if one or both may miss Sunday's game at Arizona.
Team
Los Angeles Rams
Birthdate
5/29/2001 (22)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'2", 205 lbs
Draft Info
2023: Rd 5; Pk 177 (LA)
Birthplace
Provo, UT, USA
Position
WR
College
BYU
Experience
0th season
Career History
Los Angeles Rams
2023 - Present
(1 season)
Previous Game
36
Final
19
4
REC
105
YDS
1
TDS
2023 Season Stats
REC
REC YDS
REC TDS
YAC
AVG YDS
77
1,029
4
399
13
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Recent Games
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receiving
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rushing
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Date
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Opp
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Result
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REC
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TGTS
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YDS
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AVG
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TDS
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LNG
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YAC
|
CAR
|
YDS
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AVG
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TD
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LNG
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FD
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12/3
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W 36-19
|
4
|
7
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105
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26.3
|
1
|
70
|
57
|
2
|
34
|
17
|
0
|
31
|
0
|
|
|
11/26
|
W 37-14
|
4
|
8
|
27
|
6.8
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0
|
14
|
17
|
-
|
-
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-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
11/19
|
W 17-16
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5
|
7
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70
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14
|
1
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32
|
13
|
1
|
7
|
7
|
0
|
7
|
1
|
|
|
11/5
|
L 3-20
|
3
|
7
|
32
|
10.7
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0
|
18
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
10/29
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L 20-43
|
3
|
7
|
43
|
14.3
|
0
|
22
|
31
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
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-
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