Puka Nacua was hurt throughout the offseason, and he played in Week 1, but missed Week 2 and now he might miss Week 3. Sean McVay says the injury shouldn’t be long-term, but it sure seems long-term. It’s been nagging the player for at least a month.
I didn’t want to put this in the headline, but any chance the Rams trade Nacua? Or, when will he suit up again for the Rams? This injury is likely hurting his shot at the big extension with L.A. that he is looking for.
The Nacua situation is something to
monitor. The team will also see if Myles Garrett can make his return by Week 5. The Rams are 1-1, which is better than 0-2, but they’ve got some problems.
15 games to go.
McVay says Nacua’s injury not ‘long-term’ concern, but Rams being cautious (espn.com)
“LOS ANGELES — Rams coach Sean McVay said he’s not sure whether Puka Nacua will play in Week 3, but the team is not worried that the wide receiver’s injury will be “any sort of long-term threat.”
Nacua did not play Monday night with what was listed as a hip injury on the injury report, but McVay later clarified that Nacua was dealing with “a little bit of soreness” in his groin.
McVay said Nacua does not have a hernia, but the team is being cautious with the injury.
“When you’re a skill player and you’re really trying to hit high-speed yards and really open up and you feel just … it’s like some of the things that can almost be like pre-hernia is kind of what he’s feeling,” McVay said. “And so you err on the side of caution. Usually time is the best thing that allows that thing to heal. And then once you get to a certain point, then I think you feel pretty good moving forward.”
Rams get bad news on Puka Nacua as NFL insider would be ‘surprised’ if he plays (sports.yahoo)
“According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Rams are trending in the wrong direction with Puka Nacua. The star wide receiver’s groin injury is concerning enough that Rapoport would be “surprised” if Nacua wound up playing in Week 3.
NFL insider would be ‘surprised’ if Puka Nacua plays in Week 3
“(Puka Nacua) Didn’t practice the last couple days of the week, did not play, now is not practicing for the Rams,” Rapoport said. “It either doesn’t sound like he’s making great progress to be able to play this Sunday for the Los Angeles Rams. They want to make sure they are cautious with him, so [I’d] be surprised if he goes.”
Highest-graded player of the Week: CB Trent McDuffie, Los Angeles Rams (pff.com)
“The pregame focus on Monday Night Football was understandably on Aaron Donald’s return to the Los Angeles Rams, but by the end of the night, it was one of the team’s newest additions who had delivered the best performance of any NFL defender in Week 2.
The Rams traded for cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs to get performances exactly like this one, and the 2022 first-round pick delivered, earning a 94.0 PFF coverage grade.
McDuffie was targeted five times against the New York Giants and didn’t allow a single reception, coming away with three pass breakups and an interception. Let’s take a look at each target.“
Rams vs. Broncos Fantasy Football Worksheet, Week 3 (sharpfootballanalysis)
“After a down Week 1, Stafford bounced back on Monday night, completing 22 of 31 passes (71%) for 327 yards (10.5 Y/A), 4 touchdowns, and an interception.
After the Rams threw 12.3% below expectations in Week 1 (31st), they threw 8.8% over expectations (7th) against a depleted Giants defense.
On throws of 10 or more yards downfield, Stafford was 10 for 13 for 224 yards (17.2 Y/A) with 3 touchdowns.
That was also without Puka Nacua available.
Stafford will look to keep things rolling against a strong Denver defense.“
Rams’ disappointing start on special teams isn’t cause for alarm just yet (ramblinfan)
“Los Angeles Rams fans have little patience for poor special teams play. And so far, that patience has worn thin. Coverage continues to struggle. Ethan Evans’ punts have been nothing to brag about. And sure-footed kicker Harrison Mevis has missed his only field goal attempt.
And fans are starting to sound off:
They have a point. While data from two games is hardly conclusive, past disappointing trends are not turning in a positive direction. Coverage units have shown little to no improvement. The return game has been suspect. Mevis missed his kick.“
Rams star trolls Giants with savage meme after injuring Jaxson Dart (nypost)
“Los Angeles Rams star linebacker Byron Young was one half of the tandem that injured New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Darton Monday night.
Young was initially apologetic about hurting Dart, saying in an Instagram post that he would, “Never play to hurt anybody. I pray for a healthy recovery 🙏🏾”.
But that didn’t stop Young from trolling the Giants on social media soon after his apology to Dart.
The Rams’ Instagram account posted a photo of Young doing his sack celebration, where he pretends to hang up a phone with his hand.
The account added a meme of a scared-looking dog pretending to answer a phone while wearing a Giants hat.“
LA Rams Get Bad News on Super Bowl Champion Quarterback (sports.yahoo)
“Rams Pro Bowler Byron Young and bookend outside linebacker Josaiah Stewart combined on a hit that left New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart out for the 2026 season.
In need of veteran depth, the Giants are expect to at least explore Garoppolo as an option.
“Jimmy Garropolo is still out there,” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said on “Big Day with Peter Schrager” on September 23. “The Rams wanted him back, by the way. He did consider retirement at one point. He has been working out. Retirement’s not the way he’d want to go. He would go for the right situation. My feel is that this would be one of the right situations for Jimmy Garopppolo here. So, would not be surprised if there’s some discussion regarding him.”
NFL QB rankings, Week 3: Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, Matthew Stafford heating up (nfl.com)
“2026 stats: 2 games | 66.1 pct | 482 pass yds | 8.6 ypa | 4 pass TDs | 2 INTs | -2 rush yds | 0 rush TDs | 0 fumbles”
Giants’ Jameis Winston returns to starting QB role after Jaxson Dart injury: ‘This is what I dream of’ (nfl.com)
“It’s a product of unfortunate circumstances — usual starter Jaxson Dart suffered a knee injury that will require surgery — but there’s little time to waste on acknowledging misfortune. After being called into emergency action on Monday night in Los Angeles, Winston has a game to prepare for.
“This is what I’ve always dreamed of, to be a starting quarterback,” Winston told reporters Wednesday ahead of New York’s Week 3 matchup with Tennessee. “Obviously, my respects and gratitude is just going to be with Jaxson, but at the same time, this is what I dream of. I dream of being what I am right now and executing at a high level.”
Winston certainly didn’t execute at a high level when he replaced the injured Dart on Monday night, completing 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and an interception in the 28-6 defeat. He’s been here before, though, starting in place of Dart for two games last season that both ended in one-score losses.“
NFC West Roundup Week 2: 49ers and Seahawks Set the Pace at 2-0 (sports.yahoo)
“Two weeks into the 2026 NFL season, a clear top tier is already beginning to form in the NFC West.
The San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks both wrapped up commanding Week 2 victories to preserve undefeated records, while the Los Angeles Rams bounced back in a major way and the Arizona Cardinals stumbled on their home turf.
Here is how the NFC West stacks up following an action-packed Week 2:
NFC West Standings After Week 2”
Comment of the Day:
“Falcons @ Packers: 27-10
Chargers @ Bills: 35-21
Panthers @ Browns: 21-20
Jets @ Lions: 30-13
Texans @ Colts: 27-24
Chiefs @ Dolphins: 38-7
Titans @ Giants: 19-17
Bengals @ Steelers: 28-17
Seahawks @ Commanders: 24-3
Patriots @ Jaguars: 26-12
Cardinals @ 49er’s: 33-24
Vikings @ Buccaneers: 20-14
Raiders @ Saints: 24-19
Ravens @ Cowboys: 42-41
Rams @ Broncos: 31-16
Eagles @ Bears: 28-6” -Leowaterhunteralt
