The Los Angeles Rams are 2-4 heading into their ‘Thursday Night Football’ matchup with the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8. It has been a frustrating start to the season for the Rams.

In Week 2, they lost wide receiver Cooper Kupp to a high ankle sprain.

The Rams had already faced a significant blow to their offense when Puka Nacua limped off the field before halftime in Week 1. Last season, Nacua set rookie records for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486). The yardage record had stood for 63 years. Nacua has been on injured reserve since the Rams’ season opener.

Here’s the latest on Puka Nacua’s injury and potential return:

When will Puka Nacua return?

On Tuesday, Oct. 22, the Rams announced that Puka Nacua had been officially designated to return from IR. He returned to practice and is working his way back from a Grade-2 PCL strain.

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He could return as soon as Week 8 on Thursday against the Vikings. The Rams have listed him as questionable after he logged back-to-back limited practices.

Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur told reporters on Oct. 22 that Nacua’s status for Thursday night’s game is to be determined. He noted that the 23-year-old receiver hadn’t practiced at full speed in a long time. LaFleur stated, ‘Haven’t seen him out on the field since that Detroit game Sunday night, so just to have him at least standing by us and designated to return, it’s a pretty good deal.’

With Kupp expected to return Thursday, the Rams may take a precautionary approach with Nacua. Los Angeles plays on the road against the Seahawks on Sunday in Week 9. It’s plausible that the Rams will ease him back into practice this week and look for Nacua to log full practices leading up to their divisional showdown with Seattle.

When was Puka Nacua’s injury?

Nacua suffered his injury in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season when the Rams played the Detroit Lions.

Nacua limped off the field after making a sliding catch on a third-down play in the first half. He rose slowly from the turf and limped to the sideline before the training staff looked at him.

Nacua’s injury was likely pre-existing. He missed a significant amount of time during training camp due to a knee injury but returned to practice on Aug. 26 and was listed as a full participant in practice in the days leading up to Week 1.

His Grade-2 PCL strain did not require surgery. Nacua has been rehabbing with the team and trainers.

Rams WR depth chart

With Cooper Kupp set to return in Week 8 and Puka Nacua still sidelined, here’s how the Rams depth chart looks at wide receiver:

Cooper Kupp
Demarcus Robinson
Jordan Whittington
Tuta Atwell
Tyler Johnson

The veteran Robinson took on a larger role alongside Tutu Atwell and rookie sixth-round pick Jordan Whittington. The rookie is currently nursing a shoulder injury and is not expected to play in Week 8.

Atwell has led the team with 332 yards and 34 targets since Week 2.

What is the NFL’s 21-day practice window?

The 21-day practice window is the three-week period during which teams see how far along a player has come since being put on injured reserve (IR). When a player is cleared to return to football activity, the 21-day window can be opened. The team has 21 days to either activate the player to the active roster or rule them out for the rest of the season.

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