The Los Angeles Rams received a bit of a boost on Wednesday, following a tough loss in their recent Sunday Night Football game. Head coach Sean McVay shared that All-Pro wide receiver Puka Nacua is set to return to practice. If all goes well, he is expected to be back on the field for the team’s upcoming matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday.
Now, McVay mentioned that Nacua would be limited in practice on Wednesday, but considering the successful workout he had before the game against the Broncos in Denver, he seems to be on track to play at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 4.
Getting back to practice is a big milestone for Nacua, who has missed nearly two weeks due to a groin injury that kept him sidelined for two straight games against the New York Giants and the Denver Broncos. Although the Rams officially classified his issue as a hip problem, McVay had earlier pointed out that it was more about the groin area.
Ever since the injury cropped up following a full practice leading up to the Giants game, the Rams have treated Nacua with extreme caution.
“When you’re dealing with soft tissue injuries in skilled players like him, you have to be careful,” McVay explained after Nacua’s initial setback.
That careful approach seems to have worked in their favor.
In the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, Nacua performed well, catching five passes for 74 yards, but his absence in subsequent games has taken away a significant asset from Matthew Stafford’s arsenal. The offense has had to lean heavily on Davante Adams in his absence.
Now, it looks like Stafford might be on the verge of welcoming back his All-Pro receiver for an important NFC showdown that the Rams desperately need to win in order to avoid a 1-3 record this season.
However, there’s another injury to monitor: Aaron Donald will not be practicing due to some back soreness, adding another concern for the team as the week unfolds.
