Puka Nacua's Hip Injury Hits the Thursday Danger Zone for the Rams

If you drafted Puka Nacua hoping for a smooth ride this season, it might be time to start looking at the waiver wire through your fingers. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Los Angeles Rams wide receiver just missed his second consecutive practice this week with a hip issue.

Missing a Wednesday practice in the NFL is basically a veteran rest day, but missing Thursday is when the alarm bells start ringing. When a star receiver is sitting out back-to-back sessions, sportsbooks start pulling his player props off the board faster than a bouncer clearing out a dive bar at closing time.

"Adam Schefter reported that Nacua did not practice for the second straight day due to a hip injury."

This is just the latest chapter in a frustrating stretch for the 25-year-old. Nacua already missed Los Angeles' 28-6 win over the New York Giants in Week 2 after this same hip injury popped up late last week. Before that, he was dealing with a groin pull in August, and let's not forget the knee injury that cost him a massive chunk of the 2024 season.

When he has been on the field this year, the production hasn't exactly matched the hype. Nacua is sitting on just five catches for 74 yards and zero touchdowns through the early part of the 2026 campaign.

For a Rams offense that relies heavily on his ability to win over the middle of the field, his absence leaves a massive void. You cannot just scheme up a replacement for a guy who set the rookie receiving record with 1,486 yards back in 2023.

Bettors and fantasy managers are now stuck in the worst kind of holding pattern. If you are holding a ticket on the Rams this weekend, you have to factor in that Matthew Stafford might be throwing to the B-team.

Friday's final injury report will be the ultimate judge, jury, and executioner for his Week 3 status. Unless Nacua logs a surprise full session, expect him to be wearing sweatpants on the sideline this Sunday.