Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua had the greatest rookie season for a WR in NFL history. Unfortunately, his follow-up campaign never got off the ground. Nacua injured his knee during training camp, wasn’t fully recovered to start the season, and seriously aggravated it in Week 1. He’s been on IR ever since. When can we expect the talented wideout to return to the field?
What Happened to Puka Nacua?
In early August, Nacua sustained a knee injury during a joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers. Nacua missed most of the preseason practice period, and Rams head coach Sean McVay described his injury as “a little bit of a bursa sac, kind of burst it.”
Nacua appeared to aggravate the knee injury during the Rams’ season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions. Somehow, the second-year wide receiver actually returned to the game for a single play before exiting for good. Afterwards, we found out Nacua had sprained his PCL and would miss significant time.
When Will Nacua Return From His Injury?
Updated on Thursday, October 24 at 7:00 PM ET
Puka Nacua is officially active for the Week 8 matchup vs. the Vikings.
Updated on Thursday, October 24 at 4:30 PM ET
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Rams activated WR Puka Nacua off injured reserve with the idea that they plan to play him tonight. They won’t decide until pregame warmups how much he can play, but the plan is to play him.
The Rams placed Nacua on IR ahead of Week 2. We are well past the mandatory four-game absence, meaning Nacua is eligible to return at any point. It appears as though we are finally approaching that moment.
On October 22, the Rams designated Nacua to return from IR, opening his three-week practice window.
LA Rams Roster Moves:
• Designated for Return, Returned to Practice WR Puka Nacua pic.twitter.com/9m0btRjgWG— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL)
Nacua returned to practice on Tuesday for the first time this season, getting in two limited sessions. In what can best be described as tomfoolery, head coach Sean McVay listed Nacua as questionable for the Rams’ Thursday night game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Obviously, nothing is 100% until it happens. But let’s look at this situation objectively. Nacua just returned to the field for two limited practices (not even three) ahead of a Thursday night game after not playing for two months. It would be stunning if he played Thursday night.
Nacua has been eyeing the Rams’ Week 9 game against the Seahawks for a while now. That seems like a probable return date. At the latest, he will return in Week 10, barring a setback, as the team will have no choice but to activate him or shut him down for the season.
Fantasy Outlook for Rams Wide Receivers
The Rams have effectively been in limbo the whole season. In fact, they’ve played a total of 24 snaps with both Nacua and Kupp on the field. Now, it appears we may be just one week away from them both being back.
The timing couldn’t be better — the Rams’ best receiver since their two superstars went down has been rookie Jordan Whittington. Unfortunately, just as Kupp and Nacua are returning, the team lost Whittington to a shoulder injury. He’s already been ruled out for Thursday night.
Expect Kupp and Tutu Atwell to start in two-receiver sets, with Demarcus Robinson joining in three-receiver sets. Kupp is immediately startable as an elite WR1. Expect him to pick up right where he left off.
Fantasy managers can also use Atwell for at least one more week. However, once Nacua is back (and assuming Kupp can stay healthy), they will be the only two Rams WRs worth starting — and possibly even rostering.
