Puka Nacua's Groin Injury is Officially a Problem for the Rams
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is missing practice with a groin injury, adding to the hip issue that kept him out of Monday Night Football and sending fantasy managers into a panic.
HotTakes Editorial TeamUpdated 2 min read
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There are few combinations of words in the English language more terrifying to a fantasy manager than "will not practice" and "groin injury." Adam Schefter delivered that exact nightmare fuel on Wednesday, reporting that Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is sitting out of practice to deal with a lingering groin issue.
Head coach Sean McVay previously tried to downplay the situation as just a little bit of soreness. For context, NFL coaches use the word "soreness" to describe everything from a mild bruise to a hamstring that has structurally turned into pulled pork.
"Adam Schefter reported: 'Rams WR Puka Nacua will not practice today due to his groin injury.'"
This isn't exactly a new development for anyone who spent Monday night frantically checking their lineups. Nacua was already inactive for the Rams' 28-6 blowout win over the New York Giants due to a hip issue. Now, the groin problem is keeping him off the practice field entirely.
The Rams managed to survive the Giants without their star pass-catcher, but let's be honest, beating New York right now is not exactly a stress test for a Super Bowl contender. Surviving a real schedule without Nacua is a completely different math problem.
When Nacua is healthy, he completely alters the geometry of the Los Angeles offense. He is the ultimate safety blanket for Matthew Stafford and a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators. Without him, the target share gets highly unpredictable, which is a polite way of saying you should probably hold off on betting any Rams receiving props until further notice.
The betting markets and fantasy platforms are going to be holding their collective breath for the rest of the week. If Nacua cannot get back on the practice field by Friday, expect the line for their next matchup to start looking very weird.
Until we see him actually running routes in full pads, treat his status as a giant flashing caution sign. You cannot replace a guy who catches everything in his zip code, and the Rams are going to have to figure out a backup plan fast.
Key stats
Key statsThe Rams defeated the Giants 28-6 on Monday Night Football without Nacua in the lineup.
What's next
Nacua's practice participation later in the week will dictate his availability for the upcoming game, heavily influencing betting lines and fantasy decisions.
