INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Fred Warner has embodied the San Francisco 49ers and their hard-hitting defensive style to Puka Nacua for the Rams receiver's entire adult life.
That's because Nacua was still in high school when he first got to know Warner, who played three seasons at BYU alongside Kai Nacua -- the older brother of Los Angeles' star wideout -- before he joined the Niners to begin a career that's now in its eighth season.
With the latest edition of this lively California rivalry kicking off Thursday night, Nacua knows he might have to take some punishment from the four-time All-Pro linebacker to keep the Rams (3-1) on their hot start.
The NFL's leading receiver welcomes the challenge and the competition whenever he faces Warner and the 49ers (3-1).
"For me, it takes me back home," Nacua said with a grin. "I remember watching young Fred Warner out there playing with my older brother and being like, 'Hey, I know that guy. That's the guy I've seen in the locker room.' Those are some of the moments that immediately (come to mind) with the Rams-49ers, and now some of those moments where I've been at the bottom of the pile and Fred Warner was like, 'Yeah, Puk.' It's just competitive."
Warner has nothing but praise for his former teammate's kid brother, lauding Nacua's blocking acumen and his trademark eagerness to seek out and even initiate contact.
Warner even gave advice to Nacua before the 2023 draft, in which Nacua famously went to the Rams with the final pick of the fifth round as the 20th receiver chosen. Warner expected Nacua to be an NFL player, but he acknowledges that "nobody could have seen this type of success that he's seen. Only he knows that."
"A big part of it as a young player is having the confidence of knowing that you belong," Warner added. "I think that's really just the start of it all. Because just speaking from experience, when I came in, it was so overwhelming playing against guys that I'd watched on TV for so long and it's like, 'Do I really belong?' For him, I think from Day One, he was out there and had back-to-back to back games with 10-plus receptions and was a guy that Matt Stafford could rely on. That spoke to his preparation level ... and he's continued to obviously stay humble and find ways to get better in his game."
PROLIFIC PUKA
Nacua tops the NFL after making 42 receptions for 503 yards in the Rams' first four games, including a late TD catch in the Rams' 27-20 comeback victory over Indianapolis last week. Nacua had 13 catches for a career-high 170 yards.
Nacua came to national attention in his first meeting with the 49ers two years ago, when he caught an NFL rookie-record 15 passes for 147 yards in his second career game. The Niners somewhat limited Nacua in their most recent matchup, holding him to a mere eight catches for 97 yards last December -- but one of those was a 51-yard reception to set up the go-ahead field goal in the Rams' 12-6 win.
QB QUESTIONS
The 49ers headed to SoFi Stadium with a murky quarterback situation. Brock Purdy was ruled out with a nagging toe injury. The $265 million passer missed two games before returning last week, but had soreness after the game. Mac Jones threw for 563 yards and four TDs in wins over New Orleans and Arizona.
TIDE FINALLY TURNING?
Los Angeles has won three in a row over San Francisco for the first time in the concurrent careers of Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan. Although the first of those victories was a late-season meeting of backups, the Rams have finally made some progress in this rivalry series after the Niners won nine of 10 from 2019 to 2023, losing only in a thrilling NFC Championship Game in January 2022.
MISSING BOSA
The first game without injured defensive end Nick Bosa didn't go well for the 49ers. They generated just five quarterback pressures with no sacks and no QB hits last week against the Jaguars. That marked the first time they had no sacks or QB hits in a game since Week 2 of the 2015 season, according to Pro Football Focus. San Francisco also allowed 151 yards rushing.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner reacts as he walks off the field after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner reacts as he walks off the field after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Indianapolis Colts during the second hall of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Indianapolis Colts during the second hall of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs against Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs against Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)