Rams head coach Sean McVay admitted that Puka Nacua is unlikely to suit up for Los Angeles' Week 3 game against the Denver Broncos as the wide receiver recovers from a groin injury
Sean McVay revealed Puka Nacua's status for the Rams' Week 3 game against the Broncos
Sean McVay revealed Puka Nacua's status for the Rams' Week 3 game against the Broncos(Image: Getty Images)
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Rams head coach Sean McVay provided a worrying update regarding wide receiver Puka Nacua’s status for Los Angeles’ Week 3 clash against the Denver Broncos.
Nacua was unable to suit up for the Rams’ 28-6 rout of the New York Giants last Monday, when Aaron Donald received a hero’s welcome upon taking the field at SoFi Stadium. Several days earlier, the star wideout experienced "a little bit of soreness" in his groin following practice, prompting Los Angeles to take a cautious approach and sit him.
Though it was initially hoped that Nacua would be available for Sunday night’s game against the Broncos, McVay conceded that the 25-year-old hasn’t made big strides in his recovery from the health setback.
“We’ll see,” McVay said when asked about Nacua on ESPN Los Angeles. “He’s not making great progress.
“We’ll love to welcome Puka back with open arms, but if not, I’ve got a ton of confidence in the group that we will go with if he doesn’t go.”
ESPN’s Ian Rapoport expressed a similar sentiment on ‘Good Morning Football,’ adding: “It didn’t sound like he’s making great progress to be able to play this Sunday for the Los Angeles Rams.
“They want to make sure they are cautious with him. Would be surprised if he goes.”
Puka Nacua has been dealing with 'a little bit of soreness' in his groin
Puka Nacua has been dealing with 'a little bit of soreness' in his groin(Image: Getty Images)
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Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, McVay reaffirmed that the Rams were in no position to rush Nacua back from his nagging injury.
"When you're a skill player and you're really trying to hit high-speed yards and really open up and you feel just ... it's like some of the things that can almost be like pre-hernia is kind of what he's feeling," McVay said.
"And so you err on the side of caution. Usually, time is the best thing that allows that thing to heal. And then once you get to a certain point, then I think you feel pretty good moving forward."
Two days later, McVay officially confirmed that Nacua was doubtful to play this weekend, adding that he should be able to return in Week 4 when the Rams take on the Philadelphia Eagles.
"If he doesn't go this week, the expectations are, unless there's a setback, that he'll be good for next week," McVay said.
While McVay insisted that the Rams have not considered placing Nacua on injured reserve — which would force him to miss Los Angeles’ next four contests — he acknowledged that the two-time Pro Bowler is “frustrated” with the current situation.
"We all want him to be able to be out there, but we want him to be able to return to performance, not just be able to just kind of gut through it," McVay said.
In Nacua’s absence, veteran wide receiver Davante Adams wound back the clock with a dominant performance on ‘Monday Night Football,’ reeling in eight receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns versus the Giants.