Puka Nacua active for Rams' Week 7 matchup vs Raiders

Puka Nacua is officially active for the Los Angeles Rams‘ Week 7 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Oct. 25, the team announced pregame.

Nacua had been listed as questionable with a calf injury since leaving Thursday’s practice early. He did not practice on Friday, after which head coach Sean McVay told reporters he would be a pregame decision. As for what caused the injury, that’s still a mystery.

“I don’t think he knows exactly when it occurred,” McVay said. “You look at it and there’s a little minor thing in there. Felt it where he wasn’t able to have some of the power and full explosion. Just noticed it, but I don’t think he was aware of any sort of specific play that led to it.”

There was optimism that the fourth-year receiver would be able to play, however, and his availability is a huge break for a Rams offense that has been in dire need of good news – especially in the receivers room. Davante Adams ruptured his right hamstring on the final drive of last week’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals and will be out for 6-10 weeks. Tight end Terrance Ferguson has also been on the IR since suffering a medial ankle sprain in Week 3.

Nacua already missed two games earlier this year with a hip/groin injury but has been productive since returning three weeks ago with 417 yards on 37 catches in four games played this season.

Not losing his presence is a win in and of itself for the Rams.

“Whether you’re talking about (Adams), whether you’re talking about Puka, you don’t ever ask anybody to replace those guys,” McVay told reporters on Friday. “They’re unique guys that have meant so much to us. I want those players to be their best selves whether that’s (Konata Mumpfield), whether that’s Tutu (Atwell), whether that’s (Jordan Whittington), whether that’s C.J. Daniels.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Puka Nacua active for Rams’ Week 7 matchup vs Raiders