Nacua Likely Out Against Denver; McVay Prioritizes Full Recovery Over Quick Return
Rams receiver Puka Nacua is unlikely to play at Denver on 27 September due to hip and groin soreness, with coach Sean McVay choosing caution over rushing his star back into action.
Rams receiver Puka Nacua is unlikely to play for the Rams in Week 3 at Denver on 27 September due to a hip and groin injury, per NFL Network reporting via Bleacher Report. The decision reflects a cautious approach from Rams coach Sean McVay, who has prioritized Nacua's full recovery over a quick return to the field.
The Injury and McVay's Response
McVay first described the problem on 22 September as "a little bit of soreness" in Nacua's groin area, per ESPN, initially leaving open the possibility of recovery in time for Sunday. By 23 September, McVay provided reassurance: the injury is not a hernia and does not pose a long-term threat, according to ESPN. He also clarified that this issue is unrelated to a psoas injury Nacua sustained during training camp, per Bleacher Report.
Yet despite those assurances about limited severity, McVay has taken a measured path. Nacua would not participate in practice due to hip and groin soreness, per the Washington Post. He missed practice Thursday, per Bleacher Report. Bleacher Report reported via NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that Nacua is "unlikely to play" against Denver. The coaching staff had already deemed him inactive for the Rams' Week 2 Monday Night Football game against the Giants, per ESPN.
McVay's philosophy on recovery has been explicit. TheScore reported that Nacua was limited in practice again, with the coach explaining his approach: he wants Nacua to "return to performance, not just be able to just kind of gut through it." That method sacrifices short-term availability for long-term durability—a calculus that makes sense for a receiver integral to the offense.
Davante Adams Carries the Load
Losing Nacua for a second consecutive week shifts the offensive burden in the passing game. In Week 1 against the 49ers, Nacua caught 5 passes for 74 yards, per ESPN's game log. His absence forces other receivers to assume heavier loads and simplifies defensive assignments.
The burden fell largely to Davante Adams in Week 2. Adams caught 8 receptions for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Giants, per Bleacher Report, powering a 28-6 victory, per ESPN. That dominant performance showed what the Rams can achieve when one receiver becomes the focal point of the offense.
Rams' Record and Nacua's Status Through Three Weeks
| Week | Opponent | Result | Nacua Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 49ers | — | 5 rec, 74 yards |
| 2 | Giants | W 28–6 | Inactive |
| 3 | Broncos | — | Unlikely to play |
The Road Ahead
Entering Week 3 at 1-1, per ESPN, the Rams have demonstrated they can win without Nacua. Their 28-6 victory over the Giants showed the depth available when one weapon carries a heavier load. That ability will be tested on 27 September, when the Rams visit the Broncos on Sunday Night Football, per NFL.com, with their star receiver likely sidelined.
The sequence of the week tells the story of how the Rams have handled it. On 22 September McVay was unsure of Nacua's Week 3 status, per ESPN. A day later he ruled out a hernia and any long-term threat, again per ESPN. On 24 September theScore reported Nacua limited in practice again, and by Thursday he was missing practice altogether, per Bleacher Report. Each step pointed the same way: a player the club expects back, but not at the cost of a setback.
McVay's insistence on returning Nacua to performance rather than pushing him through soreness reflects a commitment to long-term health. The separate psoas injury from training camp made this latest ailment a cautious situation. A single missed game is preferable to re-injury or a lingering condition that could sideline him for weeks. The priority remains having Nacua available and fully capable when he does return.