Puka Nacua is expected to miss Week 3, a tough blow after he already sat out Week 2, and honestly, Sean McVay’s recent comments aren’t exactly painting a rosy picture for the Rams. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport dropped the news on Thursday, saying it’s the “most likely option” Nacua misses Sunday’s game in Denver and he’d “be surprised” if the wideout even suits up. It’s not a long-term issue, just something that needs time to heal, but McVay himself admitted earlier this week that Nacua is “not making great progress.” Oof.
Who Steps Up If Nacua Can’t Go?
So, with Nacua sidelined, who steps into those massive shoes? Last week, Terrance Ferguson showed some of the physical catch and run ability Nacua has made his career on, and Davante Adams had a massive day without Nacua on the field. The Rams definitely have talent, but McVay’s words, “We’ll see. You know, he’s not making great progress, but we’ll love to welcome Puka back with open arms, but if not, I’ve got a ton of confidence in this group that we will go with if he doesn’t go,” kinda tell the story. As deep as that group is, the article points out there aren’t many “great options” to truly replicate Nacua’s production. Remember, even when he *was* upgraded to play in Week 1 against the 49ers, he was targeted nine times and caught five passes for 74 yards in their 27-7 loss. That’s a lot to replace.
Big Sunday Night Showdown in Denver
Even with Nacua on the sidelines, the Rams are still considered one of the league’s better offensive teams. That’s a huge vote of confidence, especially heading into a Sunday Night Football clash against the Broncos. Aaron Donald looked phenomenal in his 2026 debut and he’s going to get a chance to tee off against Denver’s stout offensive line. The experts are definitely buying into the Rams, too. Out of seven outlets reviewing the Week 3 picks, a whopping 41 of 52 total picks favored L.A., with just 11 for the Broncos. Plus, Trevor Sikkema from NFL Pro broke down the Rams’ “5-star advantage” over the Broncos when it comes to passing against the blitz. This game is going to be a true test. Can they prove those experts right and pull out a victory in a huge primetime spot, even with their star receiver watching from the sidelines? It’s all on the line to see who truly steps up.
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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