Puka Nacua injury update changes tone for Week 7 clash with Jaguars

Despite two consecutive subpar performances, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua remains firmly entrenched among the NFL's top receiving leaders with 616 yards. But after leaving Week 6 gingerly due to an ankle injury, subsequent post-game updates went from bad to downright concerning.

Of course, many of the gloomiest outlooks came from instant reactions. After a good night's sleep and a medical examination, the diagnosis seemed to take on a more positive stance. While not reaching the level of being medically cleared, the status of Nacua and running back Blake Corum improved to day-to-day. And head coach Sean McVay was optimistic enough to state that both could play on Sunday's London game in Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

While fans still don’t know the 24-year-old’s game-day status, the fact that the team may have him available for a vital Week 7 contest changes the tone entirely.

Rams' offense is built to succeed around Puka Nacua

While the team is built to keep defenses honest with play-action passing, the aerial assault is designed to succeed by getting the ball to the former Brigham Young University standout. Of the 209 Matthew Stafford passes thrown in 2025, 65 (31 percent) have gone his way. The result is 54 receptions and one of the best starts to a season in NFL history.

Seven players have caught a touchdown pass this season. But more than a third of the receiving yards have come from the team's third-year stud. And that is after he caught just two passes for 28 yards against the Baltimore Ravens.

With a catch rate of over 83 percent, he has become the go-to guy for head coach Sean McVay's offense. To make a first down, Stafford simply needs to throw towards Nacua and let him do his thing. So far, it's worked. Even though the team can move the football and score points without him, the increased effort to do so is painfully obvious and less certain.

The Rams have time to prepare an offensive game plan that is not as dependent on their breakout star. But that is not the hoped-for outcome. To defeat the 4-2 Jags, the blue and yellow will need their best weapons on the field. While not determined just yet, the likelihood of that happening seems more possible today. As always, thanks for reading.