Which Potential Suspension Would Hurt Rams More: Puka Nacua or Alaric Jackson?

As the Los Angeles Rams get ready for the 2026 NFL season, there are serious questions when it comes to the availability of wide receiver Puka Nacua and offensive tackle Alaric Jackson. Both Nacua and Jackson are facing potential suspensions by the NFL. If the Rams are without either player, it will be a massive hit to the offense.

While it may be more likely that the Rams are without Jackson to start the season, the NFL still hasn’t come to a decision on either player. It’s possible that one gets suspended while the other does not. If the Rams do lose Nacua or Jackson, it’s worth asking which loss would be bigger.

Replacing Alaric Jackson Would Be a Major Challenge

If the Rams end up losing Jackson for significant time due to a suspension, they could look to sign free agent left tackle Taylor Decker. However, that may not be simple, especially if Aaron Donald returns. Both players will be looking for starting-caliber money and the Rams simply don’t have the cap space.

When the Rams have been without Jackson in the past, they have relied on players they already have in their system. Last year, that was DJ Humphries. Back in 2023, the Rams relied on a young Warren McClendon and AJ Arcuri.

If it came to that this season, the Rams would likely turn to David Quessenberry or Keagen Trost. With that said, Trost is dealing with a hamstring injury and is still just a rookie. Quessenberry is at least experienced, which the Rams may opt to prioritize.

It should come as no surprise that the health of the offensive line is key to the success of the McVay offense. Quessenberry may be experienced, but it would be difficult to have much confidence in him taking over for Jackson.

Since Jackson took over as the team’s left tackle in 2023, he’s provided a stable presence at that spot. In 2024, the Rams started 0-2 when Jackson was suspended. Jackson missed last year’s game against the Atlanta Falcons for personal reasons and it was one of the worst offensive performances from the Rams all season. Simply put, Matthew Stafford plays better with Jackson in the lineup.

Game	Replacement	PFF PBLK Grade	Stafford EPA/Play	Result
2023, W3 @ CIN	Zach Thomas	8.6	-0.16	L, 16-19
2023, W4 vs. IND	Joe Noteboom	34.8	0.32	W, 29-23 (OT)
2023, W17 @ NYG	Joe Noteboom	90.6	0.03	W, 26-25
2024, W1 @ DET	AJ Arcuri/Joe Noteboom	1.9/7.2	0.16	L, 26-20 (OT)
2024, W2 @ ARI	Warren McClendon	41.0	-0.35	L, 17-41
2025, W17 @ ATL	DJ Humphries	60.0	-0.07	L, 24-27

The Rams are planning to move to more 12 and 13 personnel in the offense, giving them more potential help in pass protection. Still, they would feel Jackson’s loss, especially if it happens early in the season. The Rams face two teams with premier pass rushers in the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles to start the season.

There’s no doubt that the Rams would feel Jackson’s absence if it’s for an extended period. The Rams have high expectations this year, and one of the few things that could derail them is the health and availability of their starting offensive line.

Rams Are Better Equipped to Handle Puka Nacua’s Absence

This isn’t to say that the Rams would be able to replace Nacua if he were to get suspended. He’s one of the best wide receivers in the NFL and his impact in the offense can’t be replaced. However, replacing Nacua’s role is a lot more manageable than replacing a starting left tackle. The Rams also have better depth at wide receiver.

It would be much easier to feel better about Nacua missing time had the Rams been able to sign Stefon Diggs or Keenan Allen. Still, Jordan Whittington brings some of the same physicality that Nacua does to the offense at wide receiver. The Rams also still have Davante Adams, who has developed a strong connection with Stafford this summer.

Given Nacua’s physical playstyle, he’s missed time in the past. The Rams went 2-3 without Nacua in 2024, but they were also missing several starting offensive linemen at the time. When the Rams were without Nacua last season, they arguably had their most complete game on offense.

Teams will be more ready for what the Rams do out of 13 personnel this season than the Jacksonville Jaguars were last year in Week 7. With that said, the depth that the Rams have at tight end and the ability to operate out of heavier personnel groupings mean they could survive without Nacua for a short period of time. They’d certainly have to make adjustments, but they could potentially get by for a game or two.

Which Suspension Would Be More Impactful?

It’s pretty easy to say that the loss of Jackson would be a lot more impactful than the loss of Nacua. That’s not any reflection on the caliber of either player. Nacua is a top wide receiver while Jackson is an above average left tackle that simply provides a stable presence.

However, it would be a lot more difficult for the Rams to replace Jackson and work around that loss than it would be for them to do the same with Nacua. They could also be without Jackson for much longer. Again, that speaks more to the drop-off in depth at left tackle than anything else. It would be much more difficult for the Rams to replace that stability.

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