Rams give disappointing injury update on Puka Nacua ahead of London game

As a rookie in the 2023 season, Puka Nacua did wonders for the Los Angeles Rams. He had 1,486 yards receiving and six touchdowns after drafted in the fifth round out of BYU.

Since that season, teams have been careful to defend him with more vigor. With the Rams shedding salary, they weren't able to keep Cooper Kupp, which opened up opportunities for Nacua in the slot.

After tearing up the Indianapolis Colts in a 27-20 Week 4 victory to the tune of 13 catches for 170 yards and a touchdown to give them their only loss, Nacua was hurt in an Oct. 12 game against the Baltimore Ravens. It was an ankle injury that saw him return to the field, but he clearly wasn't the same.

With the Rams in London and getting ready to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars, head coach Sean McVay gave a disappointing injury update on Nacua's availability against one of the best teams in the AFC.

Rams rule out Puka Nacua for Jaguars game in London

The team has officially ruled Nacua out for Sunday's game against Jacksonville, meaning that other players will have to step up in his absence. McVay was recently asked how valuable Nacua is to what the Rams do on offense, and he had nothing but good things to say about him.

"I think when you talk about the efficiency within the opportunities, he's so efficient, such a special rapport," McVay said. "He's catching the ball so cleanly and so grounded, where now he might catch a quick route, but then he's getting vertical for a play that would typically go for three or four yards, and then it's 13, 14 yards."

As far as when Nacua might be ready to go, McVay did offer an opportunistic quote.

"He's making good progress," McVay said, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. "I am very optimistic about hopefully having him ready after the bye. I think it'll serve him well, and I have confidence in our other receivers to be able to step up."

That element of the offense will be missing for Los Angeles against a very opportunistic Jaguars defense. That means that Davante Adams is going to be the top receiver in the Rams offense on Sunday.

Jacksonville has already created 14 turnovers, which is the best in the league. Without Nacua, running back Kyren Williams is going to get more opportunities to carry the ball on the ground, although he's had some fumbling issues so far this season.