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Puka Nacua injury update: Latest on Rams WR's status vs. Jaguars, return date
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- Puka Nacua injury update: Latest on Rams WR's status vs. Jaguars, return date
The Los Angeles Rams are crossing the pond to play in London for the fourth time in their franchise's history. Will they have Puka Nacua available for their game?
Nacua, who has been one of the NFL's best receivers through six weeks, played just 27 snaps in the Rams' Week 6 win over the Baltimore Ravens after suffering an ankle injury. The malady isn't expected to be a long-term issue, but it did throw his status for Sunday's international game into doubt.
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Nacua missed six games during the 2024 NFL season because of a knee injury, so Rams fans and fantasy football managers alike will be closely monitoring the 24-year-old wide-out's injury.
Here's the latest injury update about Nacua and when he can be expected to return to action.
Puka Nacua injury update
The Rams have ruled Nacua out for their London matchup against the Jaguars after he suffered an ankle injury in the team's Week 6 win over the Ravens.
Rams coach Sean McVay delivered the news about Nacua's status during a Friday media availability.
Sunday will mark the first game Nacua has missed this season in full. He started Los Angeles ' previous six games and entered Week 7 leading the NFL in targets (65) and receptions (54) while generating 616 receiving yards.
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The Rams' star wide receiver did not take part in practice leading up to today's game.
When will Puka Nacua return?
The Rams have not provided a concrete timetable for Nacua's return to action. He is set to miss Los Angeles' Week 7 game before the team goes on bye in Week 8.
That means the earliest Nacua could return to action would be in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints .
McVay implied that any decision about the receiver's status moving forward would depend on his performance in practice.
"There's a difference between return to play, return to performance," McVay said in a news conference Wednesday . "You want to put him in a position to have successful outcomes. I do think some of that is reflected in is he able to go through practice and really get a good feel to allow him to feel comfortable and confident in what we would be asking if he goes.
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"If not, then you have a ton of confidence in the group that with the guys that'll be asked to take on bigger roles. You don't ever replace a stud like him, but we've got a lot of confidence in the other guys if that's the case."
Rams WR depth chart
Who would those "other guys" McVay mentioned be? The Rams have five healthy receivers on their 53-man roster with Nacua out. Below is a look at the projected pecking order in that room.
The Rams also have undrafted rookies Tru Edwards and Brennan Presley on the practice squad and could call one up for Sunday's game.
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Whittington and Atwell figure to see the largest increase in target share with Nacua out. Whittington has operated as the team's No. 3 receiver but saw just 13 targets across his first six games of the season while playing 62.1% of the team's snaps. He has made 10 catches for 112 yards across his action.
Atwell, a deep threat, has been targeted nine times while playing 37.1% of Los Angeles' snaps. He has four catches for 161 yards and a touchdown, which came on an 88-yard passing play against the Indianapolis Colts .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will Puka Nacua return? Latest injury updates on Rams WR
