Puka Nacua injury update: Rams star could return in Week 4, surgery still on the table if he can't improve

Los Angeles Rams star wideout Puka Nacua is unlikely to play when the team takes the field for Week 3’s game against the Denver Broncos. While he hasn’t been ruled out yet, Nacua was listed as doubtful on the team’s injury report after not practicing the entire week due to a groin injury.

But the team believes it’s possible Nacua will be back in Week 4, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The team believes Nacua is capable of taking the field now, but would not show the same level of explosiveness. Because of that, the Rams view Nacua’s injury as a short-term thing, and believe he’ll get back to work soon.

https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2104171448122175790

With that said, it’s still possible Nacua could undergo surgery on his groin. If the wideout doesn’t show improvement, a procedure would be the next option. The team, however, does not believe Nacua needs to have surgery to correct the issue.

Nacua, 25, has been sidelined since the team’s Week 1 game against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. Nacua played in that contest, hauling in five catches for 74 yards, but developed groin and hip issues during the game. Despite a long layoff between Week 1 and Week 2, Nacua was unable to face the New York Giants last week.

While Nacua apparently managed both issues, Schefter reported Sunday that Nacua’s groin is the main concern.

Rams head coach Sean McVay caused some concern ahead of Week 3, when he said Nacua was “not making great progress” in his return from the injury. McVay described the issue as “pre-hernia” and said the team would err on the side of caution with Nacua. “Once you get to a certain point,” McVay added, “then I think you feel pretty good moving forward.”

The Rams are hopeful that can happen as soon as the team’s Week 4 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The team, however, should have little incentive to rush him back. Depsite missing Nacua in Week 2, the Rams were able to pull off a dominant 28-6 win over the Giants. It was a return to form after the Rams were easily dispatched by the 49ers in Week 1, and gave both the team — and Nacua — some breathing room moving forward.