Puka Nacua injury could have the Rams facing unfamiliar ground in Week 7

Seriously? Another injury? 

You'd better believe it. Wide receiver Puka Nacua left Thursday's practice with a calf injury, the latest in the Los Angeles Rams'  laundry list of casualties. It is reportedly only a minor issue, but it could keep him out of Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

And in that case, with Davante Adams sidelined with a longer-term hamstring injury, the Rams would be without both their top two receivers for the first time since Adams came aboard last offseason. 

To say the least, this feels like a highly suboptimal time to encounter that scenario. 

Puka Nacua being out or limited will have Rams on the ropes

Missing one of the two is difficult enough given the Rams' lack of receiver depth, but the offense has made do in the past. In the two games Nacua missed earlier this season with a groin injury, Adams erupted for the most receiving yards, 337, that he has had in any back-to-back stretch of his vaunted career. 

Adams himself missed the final three games last year, again with a hamstring issue. Nacua compensated for the absence of the NFL's receiving touchdown leader by reaching the end zone in every contest. In the first game without Adams, he put up a career-high 225 receiving yards in a fateful Week 16 loss to Seattle.

Adams finished with a modest five catches for 35 when Nacua missed the Rams' London date with the Jaguars in Week 7, but that performance included three touchdowns en route to a 35-7 romp. 

Not having either of them would be unfamiliar territory for Matthew Stafford, Sean McVay, and the rest of the offense. Especially given LA's overall inconsistency and, in particular, their red-zone inefficiency, that's not a great feeling. The Raiders can put up points in a hurry. Will the Rams be able to keep up?

Maybe this is when McVay leans on the run game and his defense. Speaking of which, the Rams will be missing at least three elite starters on the defensive front in Myles Garrett, Poona Ford, and Kobie Turner. Cornerback Trent McDuffie is dealing with a groin issue. Nate Landman is in concussion protocol. 

Not great.

Even if Nacua plays, he might not be himself. Calf injuries, even minor ones, are no joke. Without Adams, defenses can send double- or triple-coverage his way whenever they feel like it. It doesn't help that tight end Terrance Ferguson, the TE room's top downfield receiving threat, is on injured reserve.

If need be, Stafford can draw from the four-week stretch in early  2023 when both Nacua and now-Seahawks receiver Cooper Kupp were out hurt. Back then, speedster Tutu Atwell filled the void with the best stretch of his career. 

But he hasn't been involved much at all dating back to last season; in 2026, he has three catches for 31 yards. If the Rams are forced to play without Nacua, they'll likely have to turn elsewhere for a substantial receiving boost.

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