Rams’ Puka Nacua says he won’t back down from physical play against Dolphins
4 months, 1 week ago

Rams’ Puka Nacua says he won’t back down from physical play against Dolphins

LA Times  

Rams receiver Puka Nacua mixed it up with the Seahawks’ Tyrel Dodson after a play. “I don’t think so,” he said, adding that by being around teammates such as edge rushers Byron Young and Jared Verse and linebacker Omar Speights, “everybody’s always ready to pack a punch. “So it’s nice to get back in there and be like, ‘Man, everybody’s willing to hit.’ It’s just being a little extra aware of some of the thoughts after the play where people are like, ‘Ah, I’m going to take my opportunity.’” Nacua, who enjoyed a record-setting rookie season in 2023, has played only one full game this season. Because of Nacua’s talent, success and his physical style of play, he has “a target on his back,” Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. “So it’s also a nice subtle reminder to myself like, ‘Man, every play is somebody’s opportunity to either make a hit or take a hit,‘” he said.

Game Play Seattle Practice Dolphins Robinson Rams Nacua Kupp Puka Nacua  kupp  seahawks  game  wont  dolphins  play  physical  practice  puka  knee  nacua  receiver  rams

History of this topic

Unlike last Rams-49ers meeting, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are hands on
3 months ago

Unlike last Rams-49ers meeting, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are hands on

LA Times  

They were two moments seemingly frozen in time, balletic catches by Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp that not only indicated the Rams offense could finally produce consistently but also could do it with panache. “And Puka showed last year he’s one of the best and he’s continued to prove that this year.” Nacua made his sideline catch against the Bills …

Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua are hands on in Rams’ win over Patriots in very different way
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua are hands on in Rams’ win over Patriots in very different way

LA Times  

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua eludes New England Patriots cornerback Marco Wilson after making one of his seven catches for 123 yards and a score. “We’ve got a super-hot team coming into town,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. It’s a great challenge.” It’s clear the Rams are a different team with a healthy Kupp and Nacua on the other end …

Rams takeaways: Demarcus Robinson’s catches, Kamren Kinchens’ picks sink Seattle
4 months, 1 week ago

Rams takeaways: Demarcus Robinson’s catches, Kamren Kinchens’ picks sink Seattle

LA Times  

Puka Nacua was ejected for throwing a punch after this interception by the Seahawks’ Riq Woolen. Nacua was ejected from the game in the second quarter, however, for punching Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson after cornerback Riq Woolen intercepted a pass. “Being super competitive in between those lines, there were some things said earlier in the game, just letting my emotions …

Rams’ NFC West win over Seattle shows vet leaders such as Cooper Kupp can’t be spared
4 months, 1 week ago

Rams’ NFC West win over Seattle shows vet leaders such as Cooper Kupp can’t be spared

LA Times  

Rams receiver Cooper Kupp runs after one of his 11 catches for 104 yards against the Seattle Seahawks. With the trade deadline approaching Tuesday, the Rams need to lean on their never-waver wire, guys such as Matthew Stafford and Demarcus Robinson — who combined for the winning touchdown in overtime — and Cooper Kupp making a key block to give …

Puka Nacua misses Rams practice again; punter Ethan Evans is out vs. Seahawks
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Puka Nacua misses Rams practice again; punter Ethan Evans is out vs. Seahawks

LA Times  

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, shown celebrating his touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the season opener, aggravated his knee injury in that game. Rams star receiver Puka Nacua is questionable and punter Ethan Evans is out for Sunday’s road game against the Seattle Seahawks, coach Sean McVay said Friday. McVay said Nacua “banged his knee a little bit” Thursday …

Puka Nacua has to leave Rams’ practice after reinjuring knee
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Puka Nacua has to leave Rams’ practice after reinjuring knee

LA Times  

Rams receiver Puka Nacua, shown making a catch against Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore in a comeback from injury last week, has hurt his knee again. A week after returning to the Rams lineup in spectacular fashion, star receiver Puka Nacua left practice Thursday because of a right knee injury, a team official said. Nacua returned and caught seven passes for …

Rams’ Puka Nacua leaves Thursday practice with knee injury
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Rams’ Puka Nacua leaves Thursday practice with knee injury

New York Times  

LOS ANGELES – Second-year Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua left Thursday’s practice with a knee injury, according to a team official. Nacua exited the Rams’ Week 1 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions at halftime and was later diagnosed with a sprained PCL. He also missed part of training camp after landing on his knee during a joint practice, …

Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua’s return sparks Rams’ upset of Vikings
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua’s return sparks Rams’ upset of Vikings

LA Times  

The Rams’ Cooper Kupp catches a touchdown pass behind the Vikings secondary in the receiver’s return to action after missing four games. “There’s a spark.” Rams receiver Puka Nacua makes a catch against Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore in the fourth quarter. “So much fun.” Said Nacua: “Super fun, man.” Matthew Stafford tossed two touchdown passes to receiver Demarcus Robinson, one …

Injury-riddled Rams will try to compensate for Puka Nacua’s loss against Cardinals
6 months ago

Injury-riddled Rams will try to compensate for Puka Nacua’s loss against Cardinals

LA Times  

The Rams’ Tyler Johnson runs away from Lions safety Brian Branch for a 63-yard reception. Robinson said Nacua’s absence “definitely hurts the team” but also opens up “possibilities” for others. “He’s been out here making plays since last year — it just wasn’t his time,” Robinson said. “His time came last Sunday, and he was ready to go out and …

Rams place Puka Nacua, two offensive linemen on injured list and sign help
6 months ago

Rams place Puka Nacua, two offensive linemen on injured list and sign help

LA Times  

Receiver Puka Nacua won’t be in pads for at least another four games since the Rams placed him on the injured reserve list. On Wednesday, the Rams placed receiver Puka Nacua and offensive linemen Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom on injured reserve. “What I think we want to be careful to do — and I’ve kind of learned this just …

LA Rams WR Puka Nacua is headed to injured reserve after reaggravating his knee injury, McVay says
6 months ago

LA Rams WR Puka Nacua is headed to injured reserve after reaggravating his knee injury, McVay says

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Receiver Puka Nacua is headed to injured reserve after reaggravating his right knee injury in the Los Angeles Rams’ season-opening loss at Detroit. The fifth-round pick added nine catches for a rookie playoff-record 181 yards in the Rams’ postseason loss at Detroit. Nacua and Cooper Kupp were expected to form one of the NFL’s best receiving tandems …

Rams receiver Puka Nacua heading to injured reserve because of knee sprain
6 months, 1 week ago

Rams receiver Puka Nacua heading to injured reserve because of knee sprain

LA Times  

Rams receiver Puka Nacua got bounced around by Alex Anzalone and the Lions in their season opener. Rams receiver Puka Nacua suffered a knee sprain during the season-opening overtime defeat to the Detroit Lions and will be placed on injured reserve, coach Sean McVay said Monday. Nacua suffered a right posterior cruciate ligament sprain Sunday in the second quarter of …

Rams lose Puka Nacua, several offensive linemen, then to Lions in overtime
6 months, 1 week ago

Rams lose Puka Nacua, several offensive linemen, then to Lions in overtime

LA Times  

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is sacked by Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson in the fourth quarter of the Rams’ 26-20 loss Sunday night at Ford Field. That’s when the defending Super Bowl-champion Rams lost several offensive linemen during a season-opening rout by the Buffalo Bills, the beginning of the Rams’ historic Super Bowl hangover. The Rams went into Sunday …

Rams can open season against Lions with a healthy dose of Cooper Kupp-Puka Nacua
6 months, 1 week ago

Rams can open season against Lions with a healthy dose of Cooper Kupp-Puka Nacua

LA Times  

In early September 2023, Rams star Cooper Kupp was on injured reserve and then-rookie Puka Nacua was trying to figure how he fit into coach Sean McVay’s offense. “Being able to go out there and just see, react, do, and know that your body has been trained to react and handle the load that you’re putting on it, it’s what …

Rams declare Puka Nacua will recover for season opener, but three injured linemen?
7 months, 1 week ago

Rams declare Puka Nacua will recover for season opener, but three injured linemen?

LA Times  

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua will be on the sideline for much of camp. That’s how Rams coach Sean McVay on Tuesday described the knee injury star receiver Puka Nacua suffered during a joint practice with the Chargers on Sunday. “No threat of anything for Detroit.” McVay said “a little bursa sac” in Nacua’s right knee burst when the receiver …

Knee injury for Rams’ Puka Nacua could keep him out for weeks
7 months, 1 week ago

Knee injury for Rams’ Puka Nacua could keep him out for weeks

LA Times  

Rams receiver Puka Nacua, who suffered a knee injury during a joint practice with the Chargers, is week to week, a person with knowledge of the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly said Monday. Nacua’s injury is the latest for a Rams offense that was without three starting linemen against the Chargers. Left tackle Alaric Jackson is nursing …

Rams receiver Puka Nacua creates a buzz at training camp
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Rams receiver Puka Nacua creates a buzz at training camp

LA Times  

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua signs autographs for fans at the end of a training session on Saturday at Loyola Marymount. “I have five brothers in my own family, but I feel like Coop’s been the brother that I never knew I had,” Nacua said. “It has been such a big blessing to be able to have somebody who’s been …

Matthew Stafford won’t play against 49ers and he’s not only Rams starter who will sit
1 year, 2 months ago

Matthew Stafford won’t play against 49ers and he’s not only Rams starter who will sit

LA Times  

Rams quarterback Carson Wentz will start against the 49ers and perhaps help receiver Puka Nacua break rookie receiving records. Receiver Puka Nacua, who is on the verge of breaking NFL rookie records for catches and yards receiving in a season, will play but is expected to be pulled after achieving the milestones, McVay said. And there’s not a perfect solution …

Sean McVay reveals secrets behind drafting Puka Nacua and Rams catching fire
1 year, 2 months ago

Sean McVay reveals secrets behind drafting Puka Nacua and Rams catching fire

LA Times  

Rams rookie receiver Puka Nacua shows thumbs up during a meeting with the football team when he visited Hollywood High earlier this season. “I’m grateful for the guys around me who have been able to make my journey the way it is.” Nacua can thank coach Sean McVay, West Coast area scout Vito Gonella and director of scouting strategy James …

Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams are budding NFL stars for Rams
1 year, 2 months ago

Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams are budding NFL stars for Rams

LA Times  

Kyren Williams does a celebratory dance after scoring a Rams touchdown and tossing the ball to his mom in the stands. Rams running back Kyren Williams revered one star above all others at SoFi Stadium on Thursday, and it wasn’t who you might think. It’s definitely something that I’m not used to, that we’re playing late into December, so I’m …

Rams’ rookie Puka Nacua overwhelmed by more praise from impressed LeBron James
1 year, 3 months ago

Rams’ rookie Puka Nacua overwhelmed by more praise from impressed LeBron James

LA Times  

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has plenty of bumps and bruises but plans to play Sunday in Baltimore. After Puka Nacua established a Rams rookie receiving record in last Sunday’s victory over the Cleveland Browns, James offered his congratulations in a post to X, formerly known as Twitter. “I’m a huge LeBron fan, so stuff like that definitely doesn’t go …

Upon further review, Rams’ Puka Nacua has a shoulder sprain; Tyler Higbee hurt neck
1 year, 3 months ago

Upon further review, Rams’ Puka Nacua has a shoulder sprain; Tyler Higbee hurt neck

LA Times  

Rams receiver Puka Nacua walks off the field holding his side after suffering an injury against the Browns. Rams rookie receiver Puka Nacua suffered a shoulder sprain during the team’s victory over the Cleveland Browns but is expected to play Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, coach Sean McVay said Monday. “We might be smart with him early on in the …

Puka Nacua's record-breaking effort helps Rams topple Browns
1 year, 3 months ago

Puka Nacua's record-breaking effort helps Rams topple Browns

LA Times  

Rams receiver Puka Nacua is helped from the field after suffering an injury in the second quarter. But here they are, with Nacua owning the Rams’ franchise record for yards receiving by a rookie after a four-catch, 105-yard effort Sunday that put him over 1,000 yards for the season, and with the Rams hovering around an NFC wild-card playoff berth …

Rams get lots of bang, Puka Nacua lots of bruises, from receiver’s painstaking play
1 year, 3 months ago

Rams get lots of bang, Puka Nacua lots of bruises, from receiver’s painstaking play

LA Times  

Rookie receiver Puka Nacua has made many big plays for the Rams this season. Collisions in the NFL are “way different” than in college, said Nacua, who played at Washington and Brigham Young. “It’s definitely been a little different.” Nacua, 22, has embraced the role, and the physical presence he brings to the offense is “a tremendous asset and value,” …

Since Rams’ slump coincides with Cooper Kupp’s, strategy is clear versus Seahawks
1 year, 3 months ago

Since Rams’ slump coincides with Cooper Kupp’s, strategy is clear versus Seahawks

LA Times  

The Rams need to find ways to get the football back into the hands of star receiver Cooper Kupp more. Now McVay and his staff must find ways to help star receiver Cooper Kupp regain his usual productive form — or the Rams almost certainly will continue to regress. Kupp said Thursday that “while I certainly would love to be …

Puka Nacua is a difference-making rookie and that’s an unfortunate rarity for the Rams
1 year, 4 months ago

Puka Nacua is a difference-making rookie and that’s an unfortunate rarity for the Rams

Associated Press  

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — No receiver has ever started an NFL career as impressively as Puka Nacua, who caught a record 25 passes in his first two games for the Los Angeles Rams and shattered the league’s single-game receptions mark for a rookie in September. Nacua’s selection is also a commendation of the Rams’ draft work, which otherwise hasn’t produced …

Pooo-kah Nah-kooo-ahhh already becoming word of mouth among NFL receivers
1 year, 5 months ago

Pooo-kah Nah-kooo-ahhh already becoming word of mouth among NFL receivers

LA Times  

Record-breaking Rams rookie receiver Puka Nacua has had a lot to smile about so far this season. “With some evaluations, you’re like, ‘OK, we think this kid does this good, does this not so good, let’s take a chance on him,’ ” said Les Snead, Rams general manager. “There were times when his mom almost threatened to not let him …

How will Cooper Kupp’s return affect Rams rookie sensation Puka Nacua against Eagles?
1 year, 5 months ago

How will Cooper Kupp’s return affect Rams rookie sensation Puka Nacua against Eagles?

LA Times  

Rams receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua both will play in a regular-season game for the first time. “Shoot man, it’s going to be great to be back in SoFi, back playing a game again,” Kupp said after practice. “It’s been a long time since I played in a real football game.” Early in training camp, Kupp appeared to be …

Watch: Puka Nacua makes mad dash to locker room to accept game ball after Rams win
1 year, 5 months ago

Watch: Puka Nacua makes mad dash to locker room to accept game ball after Rams win

LA Times  

Rams receiver Puka Nacua, right, celebrates with teammates after catching a game-winning, 22-yard touchdown Sunday in a 29-23 overtime win against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. But Nacua was almost absent himself from being awarded the game ball by coach Sean McVay on Sunday after catching a game-winning, 22-yard touchdown in the Rams’ 29-23 overtime win over the …

Roundtable: Is Rams’ Puka Nacua another Cooper Kupp? Why is Chargers’ D still failing?
1 year, 5 months ago

Roundtable: Is Rams’ Puka Nacua another Cooper Kupp? Why is Chargers’ D still failing?

LA Times  

Rams rookie receiver Puka Nacua has emerged with record-setting performances in the first two weeks of his pro career. Rams beat writer Gary Klein, Chargers beat writer Jeff Miller, NFL columnist Sam Farmer and columnist Bill Plaschke discuss what happened and upcoming prospects: No NFL rookie has caught 10 or more passes and surpassed 100 yards receiving in each of …

Rams rookie Puka Nacua misses practice with oblique injury after his dynamic NFL debut
1 year, 6 months ago

Rams rookie Puka Nacua misses practice with oblique injury after his dynamic NFL debut

Associated Press  

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Puka Nacua is still getting used to the punishment he’ll have to absorb to be an NFL receiver. “In college, they definitely weren’t hitting like that,” a grinning Nacua said a day earlier, padding still stuck to his ribs after practice. Nacua caught 10 passes for 119 yards in the Rams’ surprising 30-13 victory at Seattle …

Rams’ Tutu Atwell, Puka Nacua catch 49ers’ eyes ahead of NFC West battle
1 year, 6 months ago

Rams’ Tutu Atwell, Puka Nacua catch 49ers’ eyes ahead of NFC West battle

LA Times  

Rams receiver Tutu Atwell makes a touchdown catch against the Seattle Seahawks. “I just want them to keep doing it,” Atwell said of doubters and critics this week, “because they aren’t doing nothing but make me go harder.” With star receiver Cooper Kupp on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury, Atwell, Nacua and Van Jefferson aim to continue filling …

Rams OTAs: Puka Nacua’s learning curve, Cooper Kupp returns, DBs’ energy and more
1 year, 9 months ago

Rams OTAs: Puka Nacua’s learning curve, Cooper Kupp returns, DBs’ energy and more

New York Times  

Jourdan Rodrigue will host “The Playcallers”, a new narrative podcast series that takes a look at the inside dynamics of the NFL’s youngest coaching family, the Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay tree. As he gets more reps, over and over as he gets to see these things, he’ll just get better and better.” More observations, notes and takeaways from the last day …

Injured Cooper Kupp will be missing Rams’ practice and Sean McVay takes blame
2 years, 4 months ago

Injured Cooper Kupp will be missing Rams’ practice and Sean McVay takes blame

LA Times  

Rams receiver Cooper Kupp walks off the field with medical staff after injuring his ankle late in the game against San Francisco. The ankle injury star receiver Cooper Kupp suffered in the final minutes of the Rams’ 31-14 loss to the San Francisco 49ers is not expected to sideline him for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, McVay said …

Rams’ Cooper Kupp productive in his first game back from a torn ACL
5 years, 6 months ago

Rams’ Cooper Kupp productive in his first game back from a torn ACL

LA Times  

Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp, bottom, is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebackers Luke Kuechly, left, and Shaq Thompson after making a catch in the Rams’ 30-27 victory Sunday. 2 / 18 Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey leaps over Los Angeles Rams linebacker Cory Littleton during the second quarter. 5 / 18 Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley breaks …

Discover Related