Puka Nacua injury update: Rams WR heads to the locker room after hard hit

Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua is headed to the locker room in the second half against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Nacua reportedly suffered a chest injury and is questionable to return.

Sunday marked the return of Nacua after he suffered an ankled injury in Week 6. So far he had seven catches for 95 yards and a touchdown as the Rams held a 27-10 lead at the start of the fourth quarter.

With the game still in hand, Nacua never ended up coming back on the field, though he did emerge from the locker room and rejoin his teammates on the sidelines. The Rams went on to win 34-10 and coach Sean McVay told reporters postgame that the star receiver could have re-entered if the contest were more competitive.

Nacua was looking like one of the best receivers in the NFL through the first six games of the season, totaling 54 catches for 616 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Based on Sunday’s performance, he seemed to pick up right where he left off and we’ll hope for the best on his health.

Next up, Los Angeles takes on the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10. That will be a huge matchup in the NFC West standings, and it will also be a chance for the Rams to get their revenge after a 26-23 loss to the 49ers earlier this season.

Over his 28 starts with LA, Puka Nacua has 184 catches for 2,475 yards, averaging 88.4 yards per game and 13.4 per reception, and nine touchdowns. That’s after dealing with injuries last year as he was a Pro Bowler, Second Team AP All-Pro. He finished second for Offensive Rookie of the Year as a first-year player in 2023 with 105 catches for 1,486 yards and six receiving scores.

It seems likely that Nacua will be good to go for this coming week against San Francisco, but keep an eye on the WR’s status on this week’s injury report. Kickoff against the 49ers is at 4:25 p.m. ET next Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.