Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is set to play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles after missing two games with hip and groin injuries. While head coach Sean McVay confirmed Nacua carries no injury designation, Aaron Donald has been ruled out with a back issue for the Week 4 matchup.
Puka Nacua Returns Without Injury Designation Against the Eagles
Puka Nacua practiced fully on Friday after being limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday according to CBS Sports, clearing the way for him to play in Philadelphia without an official injury designation. The Los Angeles Rams are getting their top offensive weapon back on the field, though the team’s approach to his workload remains a central talking point.
Nacua sat out victories and losses over the previous two weeks following a Week 1 appearance against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia, where he hauled in five catches for 74 yards. Speaking to reporters ahead of Sunday’s kickoff, head coach Sean McVay offered an upbeat assessment of the wide receiver’s physical progress during practice.
“Physically, he’s getting in and out of his breaks, looks strong, looks sturdy, looks explosive.”
Sean McVay, Head Coach, Los Angeles Rams, via CBS Sports
While McVay noted that Nacua handled Thursday’s heaviest workload well, the team still has to handle his overall conditioning and snap count as reported by the Rams’ official team site.
Medical Clarification Surrounding Nacua’s Hip and Groin Issues
The exact nature of Nacua’s absence became clearer as the week progressed. During training camp, Nacua dealt with a psoas injury, but the subsequent hip and groin issues that kept him sidelined against the New York Giants and Denver Broncos were a distinct physical hurdle according to Bleacher Report.
The condition involves a structural weakness in the muscle wall preventing internal tissue from protruding, meaning it has not yet developed into a full hernia but requires careful management as he applies stress to the affected area.
NFL insiders previously confirmed that the injury did not require surgery noted by Bleacher Report, allowing the Rams to treat the issue as a short-term concern rather than a long-term absence.
Aaron Donald Ruled Out Alongside Multiple Rams Defensively
Three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald was a surprise addition to the injury report with a back issue that flared up after the team’s Week 3 loss to the Denver Broncos reported by The New York Times. While the offense welcomes back its leading target, the Rams defense faces significant absences against the Eagles.
McVay emphasized that the decision to sit the 35-year-old was protective, noting that playing him would be irresponsible according to The New York Times.
“He’s as tough as it gets but is just not feeling good enough, and I think it would be irresponsible on my part.”
Sean McVay, Head Coach, Los Angeles Rams, via The New York Times
Contractually, Donald is protected with his game check tied to the 53-man roster rather than the 46-man active roster according to Sports Illustrated, reflecting the franchise’s long-term view of keeping him healthy for the stretch run in December and January. Donald joins Myles Garrett—who remains on injured reserve following knee surgery reported by The New York Times—on the sidelines.
Los Angeles also ruled out tight end Terrance Ferguson with an ankle injury and cornerback Jaylen Watson reported by The New York Times. Safety Kamren Kinchens carries no game status designation noted by the team site, while tight end Colby Parkinson is listed as questionable due to knee and shoulder injuries.
Davante Adams and the Los Angeles Passing Attack
During Nacua’s two-game absence, veteran wide receiver Davante Adams emerged as Matthew Stafford’s primary target, racking up 332 receiving yards over that two-week span according to The New York Times, including a two-touchdown performance against the Giants reported by CBS Sports.
With Nacua rejoining the offense, the Rams aim to rebound from a 1-2 record. Nacua’s presence is expected to draw defensive attention and open up opportunities for Adams and the rest of the receiving corps as Los Angeles takes on Philadelphia.
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