Rams Wide Receiver Puka Nacua Officially Doubtful for Week 3 vs. Broncos

The Los Angeles Rams could be without wide receiver Puka Nacua for a second consecutive game. Nacua did not participate in practice again on Friday ahead of Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. While Nacua hasn’t been ruled out, he has been listed as doubtful.

Rams-Broncos Final Injury Report | Rams Media

If Nacua doesn’t play on Sunday night against the Broncos, the expectation seems to be that he’ll play in Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Given the Eagles are a conference matchup, the Rams will need to be as healthy as possible for that game. McVay said on Friday that there has been no consideration of putting Nacua on injured reserve with his hip injury.

"If he doesn't go this week, the expectations are, unless there's a setback, that he'll be good for next week. That’s why he's listed as doubtful, less likely that he'll play," said McVay. "There are a lot of guys I have confidence in to be able to step up in his absence. It's a great challenge."

The Rams were without Nacua in last week’s win against the New York Giants. In Nacua’s place, it was wide receiver Davante Adams and tight end Terrance Ferguson who stepped up in his place. Adams had eight receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants while Ferguson added six receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown of his own.

If the Rams are without Nacua against the Broncos, they will once again lean on Adams and Ferguson. The offense showed that it can survive without Nacua last week, but that will be easier said than done on Sunday, especially against a tough Broncos defense led by Patrick Surtain at cornerback. Adams and Surtain went up against each other several times when Adams was in the AFC West with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Rams Taking Cautious Approach With Puka Nacua

Nacua’s injury popped up early last week during practice. The Rams’ wide receiver had been dealing with a psoas injury late in training camp leading up to the season. While Nacua played in Week 1, he had another injury pop up during the week of practice leading up to the Giants’ game. According to McVay, the two injuries were not related.

More Puka pic.twitter.com/LsWVlSc1e3
— Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) September 25, 2026

McVay has been consistent in saying that they are simply erring on the side of caution with Nacua, especially with it being a soft tissue injury. It may not be something the Rams have to worry about long-term, but Nacua missing two games early in the season is still a big deal.

It appears that the Rams will hope to get Nacua back for next week’s game against the Eagles. With Nacua listed as doubtful and not completely ruled out, they are at least leaving the door open for him to play on Sunday night. Still, given that the Rams are taking a cautious approach, it seems somewhat unlikely that would be the case.

For now, the priority appears to be making sure Nacua’s absence doesn’t turn into a long-term issue. If that means Nacua misses a second consecutive game in September, the Rams seem willing to take that approach with a long season ahead.

Other Injury Notes

The Rams will only have three game designations for Sunday. Tight end Colby Parkinson is questionable with a knee injury while safety Kam Kinchens remains doubtful along with Nacua.

With Nacua out, the Rams will be glad to have wide receiver Jordan Whittington back. Whittingon had been managing a quad injury, but was a full participant on Friday and should be good to go. While Nate Landman was limited on Friday, McVay noted that he is expected to play as well.

Edge rusher Byron Young and defensive tackle Aaron Donald were both non-participants on Friday, but it was just for scheduled rest days. After being projected as limited on Wednesday, Terrance Ferguson and Alaric Jackson remained full participants on Thursday and Friday.

On the Broncos' side, running back Jonah Coleman is out with an ankle injury. Additionally, wide receiver Marvin Mims is questionable. While running backs J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey were limited on Wednesday, both practiced in full and don't have game designations.

Add us as a preferred source on Google