LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Rams All-Pro wide receiver Puka Nacua departed practice early on Thursday after suffering a calf injury, casting doubt on his availability for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Nacua was listed as a limited participant on Thursday’s injury report, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. The severity of the injury was not immediately clear, and Rams head coach Sean McVay is scheduled to update reporters on Friday ahead of the release of official game designations.
The scare comes at a critical moment for Los Angeles, which has slipped to 2-4 after dropping three of its past four contests. Just two days earlier, the club placed six-time Pro Bowl receiver Davante Adams on injured reserve with a ruptured hamstring suffered during an 18-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. McVay confirmed that Adams will undergo a cleanup surgical procedure and faces an estimated absence of six to 10 weeks.
Depleted receiver depth
Losing both top targets would leave the Rams severely short-handed in the passing game. Adams and Nacua have combined for 67 catches this season, while every other wide receiver on the roster has accumulated just 13 catches combined, NBC Sports reported.
Nacua, who paced the NFL with 129 receptions last year, has caught 37 passes for 417 yards and one touchdown in four appearances this season. He had already missed two games earlier in the fall because of hip and groin issues before returning to play the previous three contests.
Without Adams and potentially Nacua, quarterback Matthew Stafford would have to rely heavily on second-year wideout Konata Mumpfield, veteran Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington, alongside reserve options Alex Bachman and CJ Daniels.
Addressing the media prior to Thursday’s practice, McVay stated that team officials had not held discussions about bringing in an outside receiver to replace Adams. However, ESPN reported that Los Angeles intends to at least look into possible trade options at wide receiver.
Stafford stressed that adapting to the roster changes must be a collective effort. “You’re not going to one-for-one sub in a guy that’s going to be wearing a gold jacket one day, in Davante,” Stafford said, according to The Sporting Tribune. “It’s a team effort. All of us are doing everything we can to try and pick up the slack and make sure we get in the endzone, red zone specifically.”
Injuries mount across the roster
Nacua’s early departure adds to an expanding list of health issues for Los Angeles. Defensive end Myles Garrett remains on injured reserve following knee surgery, while defensive tackles Kobie Turner and Poona Ford are also out with injuries.
Cornerback Trent McDuffie sat out last week with a groin problem and has missed both practice sessions this week, McVay said. Inside linebacker Nate Landman entered the concussion protocol, which could prompt the team to elevate newly signed veteran Eric Kendricks.
The Rams also had to replace their kicker this week after Blake Grupe suffered a season-ending torn ACL while attempting a tackle on a kickoff against the Cardinals. Los Angeles signed veteran free agent Brandon McManus after a workout on Wednesday.
There was minor relief on the injury report earlier this week, as tight end Colby Parkinson and cornerback Josh Wallace were cleared as full practice participants.
What comes next
The Rams continue preparations for their Week 7 matchup against Las Vegas. News accounts differed on the site of the contest: the Associated Press and NBC Sports reported that the Rams will travel to face the Raiders in Las Vegas, while The Sporting Tribune reported the game will take place at SoFi Stadium.
McVay will speak to reporters Friday, when the team announces Nacua’s final status and designations for the weekend.
