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Rams' Matthew Stafford Heaps Praise on Puka Nacua's Week 7 Performance
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- Rams' Matthew Stafford Heaps Praise on Puka Nacua's Week 7 Performance
(Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is one of the top wide receivers in the league, but Matthew Stafford sees him as much more than that.
Nacua has been dealing with injuries, but has stepped up in a major way with Davante Adams out due to a significant hamstring injury. Nacua's level of play thus far this season has led to heavy praise from Stafford.
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Nacua broke down his calf injury to the media, stating that he felt a pull when he landed in practice. He also revealed that he is "staying warm" on the sideline to manage the hip injury that he is also dealing with.
Despite the injuries, Nacua secured 68 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
Nacua showed plenty of tough-running skills, as he plowed through multiple Raiders defenders to score a touchdown.
It isn't just the ability to strong arm his way into points, but how he handles himself in blocking schemes and the physicality he presents that led to Stafford praising the "special" player that Nacua is.
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"He's a heck of a football player. Another guy on our team that everybody loves. Um, love to be around him. What he brings to our team, energy-wise on game day, is incredible. Like you said, running through people's faces. He's as physical player at the, you know, receiver position that I've ever been around," Stafford said.
Stafford called Nacua the most physical player he has been around in terms of the wide receiver position, and there is a good reason for that.
Nacua is not only able to catch the ball and move defenders out of his way for crucial first downs, but he also hits the gap and bulldozes defenders when he is blocking.
"I bet people miss blocks where he's going through the hole and he really has the safety, but the linebacker shows up and he just goes ahead and knocks that guy down, too. So, I mean, he's a special player," Stafford added.
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Stafford has been able to count on Nacua, as has the entire Rams offense. Despite injuries, he manages to turn small yardage into first downs and more when he takes the ball.
Doing so while also injured shows the kind of tenacity and strength that the young pass catcher has.
Nacua is also in a contract year, so he is likely doing everything he can to show the organization that he is worth the potential record-setting contract that he may receiver.
There was talk about Nacua receiving a new deal in 2026, but some off-field issues may have halted that. The receiver sought treatment after he appeared in headlines for all the wrong reasons, and he is now looking to continue his production on the field.
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Nacua could receive a deal similar to what the Seattle Seahawks gave Jaxson Smith-Njigba, but time will tell if the Rams go that route.
Either way, Nacua continues to receiver praise for his tireless efforts in trying to help Los Angeles win each week.
