The Los Angeles Rams are preparing to face the New York Giants on "Monday Night Football." In the lead-up to the game, they face one key question.
Will Puka Nacua be able to play in the game?
Nacua, the Rams' leading receiver in 2025 and the star of their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, is dealing with a hip injury. He is officially "questionable" to play because of the malady, which will lead Rams fans and fantasy football managers alike to keep a close eye on his availability.
Here are the latest updates on Nacua's status and how the Rams may replace him if he cannot play.
Is Puka Nacua playing tonight?
Nacua is expected to be a game-time decision for the Rams' Week 2 game against the Giants after being listed as "questionable" on the Rams' official injury report.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday the Rams are considering Nacua "to be a pre-game decision." That suggests the Rams are unlikely to decide on the 25-year-old's status until just before they release their inactives list 90 minutes before the game.
However, Schefter later reported that Nacua was "trending the wrong direction" toward playing in Week 2 against the Giants.
Puka Nacua injury update
Officially, the Rams listed Nacua with a hip issue on their injury report for Monday's game. That said, Rams coach Sean McVay indicated the receiver's specific issue is related to his groin in a news conference on Saturday, Sept. 19.
"He's got a little bit of soreness in that groin," McVay told reporters of Nacua. "[We're] being smart with him as a skilled player. Whether or not he plays is to be determined. And so, we'll see how he's feeling."
Nacua was first listed on the Rams' injury report on Friday. He was a non-participant at that session and also did not participate in Saturday's practice.
It isn't clear whether Nacua's current injury is related to the psoas injury he dealt with during training camp. The psoas is a core muscle used to move one's lower back, hips and upper legs, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Who is Puka Nacua's backup?
Jordan Whittington is listed as Puka Nacua's backup on the Rams' official depth chart. While Whittington would normally replace Nacua, the 25-year-old is dealing with a quad injury and is listed as "doubtful" for Monday's game.
That will leave either Konata Mumpfield, the primary backup to Davante Adams, or Xavier Smith, the third-listed receiver at Nacua's position, to replace the 2025 All-Pro if he can't play.
Mumpfield, a seventh-round pick in 2025, has logged 10 career catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Smith has posted 20 catches for 309 yards and no touchdowns across his three-plus seasons with the Rams.
Rams WR depth chart
Below is a full look at the Rams' wide receiver depth chart, which runs seven-deep on their 53-man roster:
- Puka Nacua (questionable)
- Davante Adams
- Jordan Whittington (doubtful)
- Konata Mumpfield
- Xavier Smith
- Tutu Atwell
- CJ Daniels
Neither Atwell nor Daniels played Week 1 for the Rams, as both were inactive in Melbourne. Both could see action if Nacua and Whittington are out, but Atwell – a 2021 second-round pick who posted 105 catches for 1,535 yards and five touchdowns across his first five seasons with the Rams – would likely be first in line for potential targets.
The Rams also have Alex Bachman and Brennan Presley on the practice squad. Either could be called up to provide additional depth if Nacua misses time.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Puka Nacua playing tonight? Latest injury updates on Rams WR
