Puka Nacua will be in uniform Sunday after Los Angeles cleared its top receiver to play against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Nacua was active for the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff despite a calf issue that forced him out of Thursday’s practice and kept him sidelined Friday. He had carried a questionable designation into game day.
Quick facts
- Rams receiver Puka Nacua is active against the Raiders.
- Nacua left Thursday’s practice with a calf injury and did not practice Friday.
- Los Angeles is 2-4 entering Week 7; Las Vegas is 3-3.
- Nacua has 37 catches, 417 receiving yards and one touchdown this season.
- Davante Adams is expected to miss six to 10 weeks with a hamstring injury.
The calf concern is the latest physical setback for Nacua in a difficult early stretch of the season. He dealt with psoas soreness during training camp and later missed two games because of a hip injury.
Even with those interruptions, the two-time Pro Bowler has remained highly productive. Nacua enters Sunday with 417 yards and a touchdown on 37 receptions, and he is expected to remain Matthew Stafford’s primary target if he can handle his normal workload.
The Rams will again have to adjust without Adams, their other premier wide receiver. Adams’ hamstring injury is projected to keep him out for six to 10 weeks, further testing a Los Angeles offense trying to recover from a 2-4 start.
Stafford still has multiple options around Nacua. Konata Mumpfield had four receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown against Denver during an earlier Nacua absence, while Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington provide additional receiver depth.
Los Angeles can also lean on tight end-heavy personnel, with Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson positioned for larger roles. Running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum offer receiving ability out of the backfield.
The Rams will try to halt their slide Sunday when they host the Raiders at 4:25 p.m. ET. Las Vegas arrives with a 3-3 record.
