Puka Nacua’s latest injury update could change Rams’ preseason plans originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Rams aren’t taking any chances with Puka Nacua as their star wide receiver works his way back from a lower back injury.
Head coach Sean McVay said the Rams are taking Nacua’s recovery day by day and won’t rush him back onto the practice field while he continues to experience soreness.
Nacua left Los Angeles’ joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys last Tuesday after experiencing discomfort. McVay said Nacua “still has some soreness,” leaving open the possibility that he may not return to practice until next week.
Last Thursday, McVay described the issue as “a little soreness” in Nacua’s psoas, a muscle connecting the lower spine to the thigh bone. At the time, McVay said he anticipated Nacua returning the following week.
Considering what Nacua means to the Rams’ offense, Los Angeles has little reason to push him during the preseason.
Rams taking no chances with Nacua
Nacua is coming off the best statistical season of his young career.
The 25-year-old led the NFL with 129 receptions in 2025 while finishing second with 1,715 receiving yards and adding 10 touchdown catches. He averaged 13.3 yards per reception while establishing himself among the league’s elite receivers.
Nacua also recorded 80 first-down receptions, the most in the NFL, and produced one of his biggest performances late in the season when he exploded for 12 catches, 225 yards and two touchdowns against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16.
Those numbers further established Nacua as one of quarterback Matthew Stafford’s most important weapons and explain why Los Angeles is exercising caution.
Through his first three NFL seasons, Nacua has already accumulated 313 receptions for 4,191 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns, remarkable production for a player who entered the league as a fifth-round selection.
The Rams know Nacua doesn’t need preseason repetitions badly enough to risk turning soreness into a more significant problem.
McVay’s priority is having his star receiver healthy when the games begin to count.
For now, that means patience.
Los Angeles wants Nacua back on the field, but after a 1,715-yard season demonstrated exactly how valuable he is, the Rams have every reason to wait until he’s completely ready.
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