Los Angeles Rams Set To Get Key Offensive Piece Back
The Los Angeles Rams are catching a break at exactly the right moment. After dominating the Jacksonville Jaguars overseas and enjoying a well-timed bye week, they’re getting their offensive weapon back when they need him most.
Nacua’s Return Couldn’t Come at a Better Time
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Wide Receiver Puka Nacua is expected to suit up Sunday against the New Orleans Saints after missing just one game with an ankle injury. That’s music to the ears of Rams fans who watched their star go down in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens.
The timing? Perfect. The Rams sit at 5-2, tied atop the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks, and they’re staring down a crucial stretch that includes division matchups against the San Francisco 49ers and Seahawks in Weeks 10 and 11.
Head Coach Sean McVay confirmed Monday that Nacua is expected to practice Wednesday and play Sunday, barring any setbacks. Translation: the ankle held up during the bye week, and the Rams aren’t about to waste any time getting their best pass-catcher back on the field.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Before the injury scare, Nacua was putting together a season for the ages. In just five and a half games, he’s racked up 54 receptions for 616 yards and 2 touchdowns. That’s good enough for third and fourth in the NFL, respectively—despite sitting out the past two weeks.
Think about that for a second. The guy missed two full games, and he’s still near the top of the league in catches and yards. Nacua was on pace to shatter NFL records before the ankle rolled. While the injury disrupted that historic trajectory, the Rams have to feel fortunate it wasn’t worse. One game missed is practically a win when you’re dealing with ankle injuries in the NFL.
Stafford Gets His Security Blanket Back
Matthew Stafford has to be thrilled. Sure, Davante Adams reminded everyone he can still ball out with a five-touchdown performance against the Jaguars, but having Nacua back gives the veteran quarterback his full arsenal.
The Rams offense simply operates differently when Nacua is on the field. His ability to win contested catches, create separation, and move the chains on third down makes him indispensable to this offense’s rhythm.
More Good News On the Injury Front
The Rams aren’t just getting Nacua back. Right Tackle Rob Havenstein, who’s been sidelined since Week 4 with his own ankle injury, is also expected to return to practice Wednesday and play Sunday. Getting both players back after the bye week? That’s the kind of timing that can fuel a division title run.
What This Means For the NFC West Race
The Rams face a 1-7 Saints team first, which should serve as a nice tune-up game for Nacua. But the real tests come after that. The 49ers and Seahawks games in Weeks 10 and 11 will likely determine who controls the division heading into the final stretch.
Having Nacua available for those critical matchups changes everything. The Rams went 2-0 without him, which speaks to the depth Sean McVay has built, but there’s no substitute for having your Pro Bowl receiver healthy and ready to dominate.
The NFC West has always been a dogfight, and this year is no different. But with Nacua back in the fold and the offense firing on all cylinders, the Rams have positioned themselves as legitimate contenders—not just in the division, but in the conference.
Sunday’s game against the Saints might not seem like much on paper, but it’s the perfect opportunity to get Nacua back up to speed before the schedule gets brutal. And if the Rams are serious about making noise in January, they’ll need every bit of his talent.
