Puka Nacua is expected to sit out for a second consecutive game when the Los Angeles Rams visit the Denver Broncos on Sunday night, leaving Matthew Stafford without one of his top targets against a rugged Denver defense.
The Rams listed Nacua as doubtful for the Week 3 matchup after he did not practice all week. The injury has been listed by the team as a hip issue, though coach Sean McVay has described it as a groin injury.
McVay said Los Angeles is taking a cautious approach with the two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, but he does not view the injury as a long-term problem. Provided Nacua does not suffer a setback, McVay expects him to be available for the Rams’ Week 4 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Rams need other targets to step forward
Nacua opened the season as Los Angeles’ leading receiver in its 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia, catching five passes for 74 yards. He missed six games in 2024 and one game in 2025, and the Rams are 3-4 over the past three-plus seasons when he has not played.
Davante Adams carried the passing game in last week’s 28-6 win over the New York Giants, producing eight receptions, 195 receiving yards and two touchdowns. But the Rams cannot assume Adams will duplicate that output against Denver.
With Nacua likely unavailable, receivers Xavier Smith, Konata Mumpfield and Tutu Atwell could see expanded roles. Adams and Nacua are the only Los Angeles wide receivers with more than one reception through two games, underscoring the thin depth chart at the position.
Stafford may instead lean more heavily on the tight end group, including Terrance Ferguson, Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee, as the Rams attempt to generate offense without Nacua.
Sunday night kickoff
The Rams and Broncos are scheduled to kick off in Denver at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday night.
