Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua suffered a left ankle injury during the second quarter of Sunday’s 17-3 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
He was able to return in the third quarter, but he did not get a single target to close out the game.
Nacua underwent further medical testing on Monday, and the Rams determined that their superstar pass-catcher avoided a long-term injury.
That said, Nacua was listed as a non-participant for Wednesday’s practice session. He was unable to go again on Thursday, missing his second consecutive practice leading up to Sunday’s Week 7 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Nacua’s status for Friday’s practice will be key in determining whether or not he’ll be able to play this weekend.
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On Wednesday, Rams head coach Sean McVay said “it’s hard to say right now” if Nacua will be able to practice at all this week.
“There’s a difference between return to play, return to performance,” McVay said, via ESPN. “You want to put him in a position to have successful outcomes. I do think some of that is reflected in is he able to go through practice and really get a good feel to allow him to feel comfortable and confident in what we would be asking if he goes.”
“If not, then you have a ton of confidence in the group that with the guys that’ll be asked to take on bigger roles,” he continued. “You don’t ever replace a stud like him, but we’ve got a lot of confidence in the other guys if that’s the case.”
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McVay was asked if there’s a chance Nacua can play on Sunday even if he doesn’t practice at all this week.
“I think it’d probably be tough to say,” McVay said. “… I certainly don’t want to pigeonhole myself into a kind of an approach like that, but I think that you would like him to be able to [practice].”
Even after suffering his ankle injury early in Week 6, Nacua still leads the NFL in receptions (54). He ranks second in receiving yards (616), trailing only Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (696).
The Rams will kickoff against the Jaguars in an international NFL matchup at London’s Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
