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Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay offered an encouraging update on wide receiver Puka Nacua’s status after the NFL’s receptions leader suffered an ankle sprain in Sunday’s 17–3 win over the Baltimore Ravens. McVay said Monday that Nacua is considered “day-to-day,” with his availability for Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London still uncertain.
“We’ll be day-to-day with him,” McVay said. “Initially he felt pretty good today, but we’ll just see how the week progresses.”
The injury occurred in the second quarter when Nacua landed awkwardly while attempting to haul in a touchdown pass. The team initially listed him as questionable to return with a foot injury, but he came back in the second half on limited snaps and did not record another catch.
McVay said scans revealed no long-term damage, calling the results “encouraging.”
“Whether that means he’s able to play like the guy we’re accustomed to seeing on Sunday will be a weekly process for us,” McVay said. “We’re grateful there’s nothing that looks like it’s going to be long-term.”
Nacua’s Record-Breaking Start and Continued Impact
Nacua has been the centerpiece of the Rams’ passing game through six weeks, leading the NFL with 54 receptions and ranking second in receiving yards with 616. His 52 catches through the first five games set an all-time NFL record, a testament to his chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford and his reliability as a playmaker.
The former fifth-round pick out of BYU made history as a rookie in 2023, breaking the NFL’s single-season rookie record for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486). Despite battling knee issues last season that sidelined him for six games, he still managed 79 receptions for 990 yards and three touchdowns, solidifying his place among the league’s most dynamic young receivers.
Other Key Injury Notes for Los Angeles
While the Rams monitor Nacua’s recovery, they’re also keeping tabs on two other offensive contributors. Running back Blake Corum, who injured his ankle against Baltimore but returned to action, remains day-to-day. McVay said the team received “positive information” on Corum’s scans, though he would not have practiced Monday.
Wide receiver Tutu Atwell, who missed the Ravens game due to a hamstring injury, is trending toward a return. McVay said Atwell’s absence was precautionary, noting the team “erred on the side of being safe rather than sorry.”
“He had a good workout on Saturday,” McVay said. “Everything is pointing in the direction of him being ready to go. We might have a little bit of a limitation on Wednesday, but he’s progressing.”
Looking Ahead to London and Beyond
The Rams face the Jaguars in London this Sunday before entering their bye week, a fortunate stretch that gives the team time to reassess Nacua’s recovery before returning home to host the New Orleans Saints on November 2.
If Nacua is unable to play in Week 7, Los Angeles may lean more heavily on Cooper Kupp and Atwell in the passing game while continuing to manage Stafford’s workload behind a reshuffled offensive line.
For now, McVay’s tone remains positive — a promising sign for a Rams offense that depends heavily on Nacua’s versatility and volume.
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