The news everyone was waiting for just hit: Head coach Sean McVay confirmed that both Myles Garrett and Puka Nacua are likely to be back at practice next week. After being sidelined with injuries, getting these two key players back on the field is exactly what the team needs, especially as the season ramps up. It’s not this week, but it’s definitely “sooner than later,” and that’s a relief for everyone watching.
Garrett’s Knee Swelling and McVay’s Game Plan
Myles Garrett has been dealing with some knee swelling, which is never a good sign for a player whose game relies so much on explosive power. You just know a guy like that needs his legs to be 100 percent. McVay, however, sounds optimistic, telling reporters, “Myles is doing a good job. He was out here moving around before.” That’s a huge positive, showing he’s not just sitting around. McVay added, “Then Myles, we’ll see, probably next week as to when we think we’ll get those guys back.” This isn’t just about getting him back, it’s about getting him back right. McVay stressed that they need Garrett to “come back and perform at a high level,” and honestly, who wants him back any other way? The caution here is smart, making sure the swelling is completely gone before unleashing him.
Puka Nacua’s Core Muscle and the “Day at a Time” Approach
Then there’s Puka Nacua, who picked up a core muscle injury last week. A core injury for a skill player like Puka can be sneaky, affecting everything from cutting to catching. McVay’s update on him was, “Puka is doing good, whether or not we wait for next week or not, we’re just kind of taking it a day at a time.” That “day at a time” mindset speaks volumes. You can tell McVay isn’t rushing anything, especially with the season on the horizon. “Puka still has some soreness there,” McVay noted, which is why he’s upfront about going to “err on the side of caution while not minimizing how important it is to get those guys out here.” It’s a tough balance, wanting your stars on the field but needing them to be truly ready.
This approach from McVay, emphasizing caution while acknowledging the importance of his playmakers, is the only way to handle it. You need your top guys healthy and ready to roll, not just out there at 70 percent. Getting Myles Garrett and Puka Nacua back into practice next week is a massive step, and fans are definitely going to be locked in, waiting to see these two perform at the high level everyone expects.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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