Puka Nacua is having an outstanding year for the Los Angeles Rams. In seven games, he has 61 receptions for 711 yards, with three touchdowns along the way. The Rams offense has been firing on all cylinders, and that continued in their Week 9 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. The sixth-ranked offense in PFSN’s Offensive Impact metrics dominated the Saints in a game in which Nacua finished with seven receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Despite the productive stat line, Nacua went down in the third quarter after a brutal hit to the chest. The superstar went back to the locker room and ultimately never returned to the game. Rams fans held their breath as they awaited news on Nacua.
Will Puka Nacua Play in Week 10?
It didn’t take long for fans to learn the severity of Nacua’s injury. After their Week 9 matchup, head coach Sean McVay had this to say when asked for an update on Puka.
“Puka is good, you know. I think he’s going to be good. He got his ribs; he could have come back in the game, but we kind of had command. We felt like it was a smart thing, and we kind of aired on the side of caution.”
View this post on Instagram
The Rams clearly value Nacua’s long-term health over a short-term push, especially in games they were already dominating. While he might have been able to return despite the injury, there is no point in risking re-injury or aggravating it further. It’s a smart move on the Rams’ part, particularly given how important he is to their offense.
Fans can take comfort in knowing the team is prioritizing recovery, which should allow him to be healthier in the coming weeks. When he does step back onto the field, he can perform at his best without the risk of re-injury.
This isn’t the only time Nacua has dealt with an injury this season, nor is it the first instance in which the Rams have exercised caution with him. Nacua missed a Week 7 matchup in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to an ankle injury. He was able to nurse the injury in Week 8 as well, as the team had a bye week. These two weeks of rest opened the door for Nacua to return in the Week 9 game against the Saints, where he suffered the rib injury.
Ultimately, Rams fans shouldn’t worry. Nacua’s injury doesn’t appear severe, and he should play in the team’s Week 10 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.