The Los Angeles Rams are dealing with a new concern regarding star wide receiver Puka Nacua.
Nacua has had an eventful off-season, marred by off-field issues, including an ongoing legal battle that could result in discipline from the NFL, regardless of the outcome in the court system. However, Nacua has been a full participant so far in Rams training camp.
That makes the latest development a more imminent threat
Puka Nacua Exits Practice With Apparent Injury
“The Rams took to the practice field on Tuesday for a joint session with the Dallas Cowboys. Nacua took the field as usual with his Rams teammates, but he was unable to finish, exiting early with training staff.
Rams head coach Sean McVay was also unsure of what the issue was.
“Puka left early on in the practice,” McVay told reporters on August 11. “I’m not exactly sure what was going on with him.”
That was the theme of the initial reporting on the situation, which looms large for a Rams team that is aiming for a Super Bowl berth this coming season and Nacua, who is looking to secure his long-term future in LA.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford did not suspect the issue was anything serious.
“I’m not really sure what the issue was,” Stafford told reporters after practice. “Nobody ran up to me in a panic, so I don’t think it was anything too major.”
Puka Nacua Suffers Setback in Contract Year
Nacua, who is in a contract year, missed one game last season and has largely been durable in his career. He did, however, miss six regular-season contests. During the 2024 season, his second year in the NFL.
News of Nacua’s exit from Rams training camp practice was delayed due to their joint session against the Cowboys being closed to the public.
The developments put an unfortunate spin on what was expected to be a glorified workout.
Nacua led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards per game last season, despite missing time. That puts an exclamation point on how impactful the former fifth-round draft pick has become in his still-young NFL career.
The off-field issues have drawn the most attention for Nacua in recent weeks and months of this offseason.
But that is not all the Rams must consider.
Nacua’s health amid a physical playing style looms as a potential detrimental factor regarding a long-term contract extension for the standout playmaker. The Rams are walking a fine line with one of the game’s most mercurial stars.
Myles Garrett “85%” During Rams Training Camp
If Nacua’s exit was not enough of a concern, the Rams are also navigating some issues with new star pass rusher Myles Garrett.
“He’s still got a little swelling in that knee, but he said, ‘I’m feeling about 85%.’ I don’t know what 100%’s going to look like, but it must be pretty good if that’s 85%. So, we just erred on the side of caution. We’re getting to learn him. He’s so tough. He wanted to be able to be out there. But listening to Reggie, and just kind of erring on the side of caution,” McVay said.
“When he’s been out there, he has certainly made his impact felt. But we want to make sure that when he returns to play, he’s able to return to full performance and feel like himself. There’s nothing to be concerned about. It was just us kind of erring on the side of caution. There wasn’t any setbacks, anything like that. So, this is kind of the same thing. We’re just making sure–as we kind of get to know him and what’s the best way to ultimately get him ready to be able to peak when we start in Australia–is kind of what the end goal in mind is.”
Losing Nacua for an extended period would be bad enough, but losing Garrett would undo much of the Rams’ work this offseason.
Both situations remain sources of intrigue and worth monitoring for the Rams, who open up their preseason slate against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, August 15. Starters like Nauca were already unlikely to play. This could cement the decision for McVay.
Sean McVay Gets Honest as Rams Face New Concern With Puka Nacua