Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua will not be active for Monday Night Football against the New York Giants.
Why it matters: Nacua's absence is a major setback for the Rams as they look to bounce back from a disappointing season opener. His performance was a bright spot in the team's recent struggles.
Nacua was the only Rams pass catcher to make an impact in the 27-7 loss against the San Francisco 49ers, recording five catches for 74 yards.
His yardage accounted for nearly half of quarterback Matthew Stafford's total passing yards of 155 in that game.
Head coach Sean McVay indicated the team is being cautious with Nacua due to a hip injury, which he first reported on Friday.
Driving the news: Nacua was added to the Rams' injury report just days before the game, raising concerns about his availability. McVay confirmed on Saturday that Nacua had soreness in his groin and did not practice that day.
McVay emphasized the Rams are "being smart" with Nacua since he is a key skill player.
The injury is separate from a previous psoas issue that sidelined him during training camp.
Nacua practiced on Thursday but felt he was not at full capacity to perform at his best.
State of play: The Rams are already facing multiple injuries early in the season. Alongside Nacua, wide receiver Jordan Whittington will also miss the game due to a quad injury.
Whittington was added to the injury report on Friday, compounding the Rams' offensive challenges.
With Nacua and Whittington out, the Rams will rely heavily on Davante Adams, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, and Tutu Atwell to step up.
The Rams also have a solid tight end group, including Tyler Higbee and Terrance Ferguson, who can help fill the gap in the passing game.
The big picture: The Rams are looking to recover from their 0-1 start against the Giants, who come into the game with a 1-0 record after a strong performance in their opener.
Los Angeles aims to avoid falling to 0-2, which could significantly impact their season outlook.
In addition to Nacua, star pass rusher Myles Garrett is also out for at least four games following knee surgery.
The Rams still have a roster filled with talent, but injuries are testing their depth early in the season.
What they're saying: McVay discussed Nacua's condition and the team's strategy moving forward without him.
"We’re just trying to make sure we’re being smart with him," McVay said, highlighting the importance of Nacua's health.
He also mentioned that Nacua's previous injury history prompted extra caution in managing his current situation.
McVay expressed confidence in the remaining receivers to step up in Nacua's absence.
By the numbers: Nacua's contributions in the season opener were notable.
He led the Rams with five catches on nine targets, demonstrating his potential as a key player.
His total of 74 receiving yards was a substantial portion of the team's offensive output against the 49ers.
What's next: The Rams will face the Giants on September 21, 2026, at 8:15 PM ET, hoping to secure their first win of the season.
With key players sidelined, the Rams will need to adjust their game plan significantly.
Fans will follow closely closely to see how the team adapts to these challenges and if the remaining receivers can fill the void left by Nacua and Whittington.
As the Rams prepare for Monday Night Football, the focus will be on overcoming adversity and finding ways to score without their top targets.