Adam Schefter's Puka Nacua bomb puts his Week 1 status in doubt

It seemed like the Los Angeles Rams had moved past Puka Nacua drama, aside from the question of his looming extension, when he returned to training camp focused and refreshed after an offseason full of problematic headlines and a stint in rehab. 

Hopefully you enjoyed the reprieve, because NFL insider Adam Schefter dropped a mini-bombshell Tuesday afternoon concerning Nacua's uncertain Week 1 status as he faces a potential suspension for his offseason activities: 

"Cases that I believe are now being reviewed include that of the Rams' wide receiver Puka Nacua," Schefter said on his podcast, "who could potentially face discipline for some of the offseason headlines that accompanied him, and some of those incidents last year … It's possible that when the Niners and Rams play in Australia, it's within the realm of options that Puka doesn't play in that game."

That's very un-good news for the Rams. After navigating injury issues for both Nacua and Davante Adams last season, they could again find themselves scrambling to run an offense missing one of its premier playmakers.

Rams may have to navigate Nacua's absence in Week 1

That Nacua could be suspended is not altogether unpredictable. The possibility was an offseason talking point, but once OTAs and then training camp rolled around with no rumblings from the league office, it appeared the Rams' wayward star might get a pass this time. 

Or maybe not, in which case the Rams could be down two offensive stars with left tackle Alaric Jackson facing a likely suspension of his own.

Missing Nacua versus the 49ers would leave the passing game heavily dependent on Adams and a deep cohort of tight ends. Elsewhere in the receiver room, the Rams will have to wait and see which, if any, of their young receivers is ready to assume a larger role. 

Los Angeles did get through a game without Nacua last season, in London against the Jaguars. His services weren't much needed then, as Matthew Stafford dished out five touchdowns, including three to Adams, in a 35-7 rout. 

In a game that was never close, tight end Colby Parkinson led Rams pass-catchers with 47 receiving yards, while Stafford spread 21 completions between 10 different receivers. Adams' five catches were the most on the team, as were his eight targets. Terrance Ferguson accounted for the biggest Rams gain of the day on a 31-yard touchdown strike. 

Week 1 against San Francisco, in the NFL's inaugural match Down Under, will not be such a stress-free affair. Games against LA's bitterest rival never are. When healthy, the aging 49ers defense is still studded with stars, like linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw and edge rusher Nick Bosa. 

And then there's this: Nacua left today's joint practice against the Cowboys with a bag of ice on his knee, with no further information provided by head coach Sean McVay. Hopefully it's nothing serious.

The Rams have proven they can get by without Nacua, but so early in the year, it would put a lot of pressure on young wideouts like Konata Mumpfield and rookie CJ Daniels to pick up the slack. Uncertainty over Nacua's status will cloud the preseason until the situation is resolved.

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