Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua left a joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, and while head coach Sean McVay initially kept information close, reporter Ian Rapoport later confirmed it was a “minor” groin injury. The team says they’re just being cautious with Nacua, but for a squad with Super Bowl aspirations, this is far from the only headache popping up before Week 1 even hits.
More Than Just a ‘Minor’ Problem?
Sure, Ian Rapoport reported Nacua’s issue as “minor soreness” in his groin and said the team is “just being cautious.” But for anyone who watched this guy play last year, a “minor” tag doesn’t exactly calm the nerves. Nacua plays with an aggressive style, and that leads to plenty of bumps and bruises throughout the year. His track record backs up the scrutiny, too. In 2025, he suffered a significant right-knee injury that was later aggravated in the season opener, resulting in a PCL sprain and five games on injured reserve. He then had an ankle sprain against Baltimore that same year, briefly slowing him down, though he only missed one game before closing out a career year. So, yeah, “minor” or not, any absence for Nacua demands serious attention.
Super Bowl Dreams Already Facing Super Serious Challenges
The Rams haven’t been shy about their intentions. They built what’s being called a “super-team” this offseason, and with the core of McVay, Matthew Stafford, and Nacua intact, Los Angeles fully expects to make it back to the Super Bowl for the 2026 season. Nacua himself was just elected to his first All-Pro team, making his health and availability absolutely critical. But beyond the groin tweak, there’s an even bigger question mark hanging over his head: a potential Week 1 suspension. This stems from “antisemitism allegations” after a livestream incident in December where Nacua made a gesture that “perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people.” He apologized, and both the NFL and the Rams publicly condemned his actions. McVay hasn’t offered updates on the “legal situation,” but Nacua did address his offseason with reporters two weeks ago. And if that wasn’t enough, Myles Garrett also missed his second straight day of practice with a knee injury.
The Rams built this “super-team” to make it back to the Super Bowl for the 2026 season, with Nacua, an All-Pro talent, at its core alongside McVay and Stafford. But with the looming potential suspension and early injury concerns for both Nacua and Myles Garrett, those super aspirations are already facing some massive hurdles. Everyone’s waiting on updates for Nacua’s groin and, crucially, word on his Week 1 availability. The drama is already heating up, and the season hasn’t even kicked off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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