Coming off a historic rookie marketing campaign, all eyes shall be on Los Angeles Rams broad receiver Puka Nacua this season to see how he follows it up.
Nacua got here out of nowhere in 2023 to set the rookie information for each receptions and receiving yards for the Rams. The group’s broad receiving corps is as robust as ever going into 2024 although with Cooper Kupp wholesome and Demarcus Robinson persevering with to emerge, which ought to assist take the strain of Nacua.
After understanding with Kupp all offseason, Nacua reported to coaching camp in the very best form of his life. That doesn’t imply he’s invincible, nevertheless, as he went down with a knee damage throughout the Rams’ joint apply with the L.A. Chargers on Sunday.
Whereas that’s clearly not perfect for the Rams, the knee damage doesn’t seem like critical, per Adam Schefter of ESPN:
Los Angeles Rams broad receiver Puka Nacua is taken into account week-to-week after sustaining a knee damage Sunday, sources instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday.
One supply, nevertheless, described Nacua’s damage as “not critical.”
The Rams reported to coaching camp somewhat over per week in the past and the accidents already appear to be piling up. First, cornerback Derion Kendrick went down with a torn ACL and can miss the complete 2024 season.
Then, the Rams misplaced another key gamers to related accidents to Nacua the place they’re not critical however are thought of week-to-week. That features three beginning offensive linemen in Jonah Jackson, Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein in addition to beginning cornerback Darious Williams.
The excellent news is that the Rams have one other month earlier than the beginning of the season, taking over the Detroit Lions in Week 1 on Sept. 8. Head coach Sean McVay usually doesn’t play starters within the preseason regardless, so all of those injured gamers like Nacua can use the approaching weeks to get again to 100% well being with the intention to be prepared for Week 1.
If Nacua is pressured to overlook time within the common season although then Kupp, Robinson, Tutu Atwell and Tyler Johnson ought to all see elevated roles within the Rams offense.
Puka Nacua ranked thirty third on NFL Prime 100 checklist
Rams receiver Puka Nacua was lately acknowledged for his excellent rookie marketing campaign, being ranked thirty third on the annual NFL Prime 11 checklist voted on by the gamers.
Nacua was the highest-ranked Rams participant, so getting him wholesome earlier than Week 1 is definitely a precedence for the group.
