Puka Nacua is set to return for the Los Angeles Rams this week after missing the last two games with a hip/groin injury. He originally got hurt in practice before Week 2, causing him to miss five straight practices before returning on Wednesday.
During Nacua’s absence, some speculated that he wasn’t injured at all and that it was all contract-related. Nacua, of course, has not yet signed an extension with the Rams despite being in the final year of his contract, causing some to spread the rumor that he was quietly holding out.
During an interview on ESPN Los Angeles Wednesday, McVay addressed that speculation and denied its plausibility.
“Yeah, it’s not true,” McVay said. “He just did a great job with our walkthrough. He’s been working, chomping
at the bit to get back out there with his teammates and this week, we expect him to be out there.”
Rams Head coach Sean McVay tells @VeniceMase & @LAIreland he expects WR Puka Nacua to play this Sunday against the Eagles https://t.co/QbGXrLemOp pic.twitter.com/85nsvdXssL
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) September 30, 2026
Nacua expressed no interest in a holdout during training camp, so there’s no reason to believe he’d willingly miss games in search of a new contract. It’s understandable that he’d probably prefer to have some long-term security but Nacua never indicated he’d hold out for a new deal.
In reality, the Rams were just playing it safe with their star receiver, who was dealing with groin and hip soreness – something McVay said was “like pre-hernia” with some of the pain Nacua felt.
Hopefully Nacua is 100% healthy and doesn’t suffer any setbacks in his return to action this weekend in Philadelphia.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Sean McVay addresses speculation that Puka Nacua's absence was contract-related
