With Puka Nacua now week-to-week, who should step up on Rams roster?
By Bret Stuter
The LA Rams learned that DB Derion Kendrick injured his ACL, and will be lost for the entirety of the 2024 NFL season. The team entered the 2024 NFL season knowing that an ACL injury to starting TE Tyler Higbee would delay his return to the active roster until after the regular season games has started. And the team did take a proactively precautionary step by holding out rookie DT Braden Fiske from the joint practice scheduled with the Los Angeles Chargers due to a large blister that had developed on his foot.
But for all other five starters who are currently trying to nurse themselves back to health, including second-year wide receiver Puka Nacua, the team seems to gravitate towards tossing everyone into a miscellaneous category also known as 'week-to-week.'
Nacua's name was added to the elite group of Rams starters due to a knee injury suffered early in the joint practice session.
Of course, week-to-week seems to be a catch-all category for injured Rams starters at this time of year. So, who are they?
Who is part of the LA Rams 'week-to-week,' injured group?
- Alaric Jackson, starting left tackle - Alaric Jackson's injury was initially described as having tweaked his ankle, and categorized to day-to-day. He was subsequently downgraded to week-to-week. His replacement is swing tackle Joe Noteboom.
- Jonah Jackson, starting left guard - Jonah Jackson's injury appeared to take place after pads went on. Later reported to be a bruised scapula, Jackson's injury is considered to be the most serious of the group. His replacement is offensive lineman Zach Thomas.
- Darious Williams, starting cornerback - Darious Williams injury was a fluke play. After making a solid defensive play to break up a pass along the sidelines, he came up limping. Reports later shared that he had suffered a hamstring injury. His replacement is cornerback Cobie Turner.
- Rob Havenstein, starting right tackle - Rob Havenstein is the leader of the offensive line, and his absence has made everything a bit 'wonky' in training camp. He suffered a foot/ankle injury and is also week-to-week. But his replacement is offensive tackle Warren McClendon.
- Puka Nacua, starting wide receiver - From some social media reports shared from the Rams-Chargers joint practice. He did seem to hurt his knee, which was visibly iced on the sideline during a joint scrimmage. No replacement is named at this point
So what are the Rams to do about replacing second year sensation WR Puka Nacua?