In a development that opens the door for a Davante Adams–Patrick Surtain matchup that would rekindle the All-Pros’ short-lived AFC West rivalry, the Rams have listed Puka Nacua as doubtful for Sunday night’s game in Denver. However, the star wide receiver does not look like a candidate to miss much more time — if any — as a result of hip and groin issues.
Not practicing this week, Nacua is unlikely to play against the Broncos. But Sean McVay said (via ESPN.com’s Sarah Barshop) he expects Nacua — assuming he does not beat the odds to play in Denver — to return in Week 4 against the Eagles. Although McVay’s comments on Nacua’s health earlier this week sounded alarm bells, the 10th-year HC indicated no consideration is being given to placing the fourth-year pass catcher on IR.
McVay said earlier this week Nacua was not making great progress. This led to the Matthew Stafford target not getting in even a limited practice this week. A player not progressing and missing a second straight game naturally injects an IR stay into the equation, but the Rams will go week-to-week with Nacua rather than risk a four-week absence. That is certainly a good sign for a team carrying a top-heavy WR corps.
Adams, 33, dominated in Nacua’s absence Monday night by catching eight passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Surtain shadow coverage may be in store for the future Hall of Famer this week. That would remind of early-2020s Broncos-Raiders matchups, and it will present a much tougher challenge for the second-year Ram. Los Angeles reacquired Tutu Atwell via trade, but the team may need to rely on its run game and bevy of tight end options due to rostering a limited cadre of auxiliary wideouts.
Nacua missed one game last season and six in 2024. A knee injury caused the 2024 absence. This latest issue — which came about after Nacua experienced hip pain during a practice last week (per The Athletic’s Nate Atkins) — is separate from the core muscle ailment that limited him during Rams camp. But it is the latest hurdle to emerge for a player whose first three seasons brought relatively smooth sailing. This year has been quite different for the 2025 first-team All-Pro.
The NFL continues to investigate a woman’s allegations Nacua bit her on New Year’s Eve 2025. The woman, Madison Atiabi, filed a civil lawsuit against Nacua that included accusations of the receiver biting her shoulder and making an antisemitic remark. The suit also alleges Nacua bit the thumb of Atiabi’s friend, Front Office Sports’ Mark Maske notes. Atiabi filed the suit in March; no criminal charges have been filed against Nacua. The 25-year-old receiver denied the allegations, but his attorney acknowledged the biting incident but classified it as “horseplay.”
Nacua could face an NFL suspension, as players do not need to be charged with crimes or convicted to incur league discipline, but Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes the player has completed the required steps to nix a potential misdemeanor charge via a diversion program.
Nacua is in the final year of his rookie contract, and we heard this summer that the off-field headlines may be affecting the Rams’ interest in extending the former fifth-round pick this year. Nacua’s latest bout of injury trouble offers another complication, though plenty of time remains for the BYU product to reestablish dominance before the March 2027 franchise tag application deadline.