Matthew Stafford, Rams Receive Crucial Puka Nacua News After Aaron Donald Ruled Out Against Eagles

Aaron Donald's return was as dramatic as it get. It didn't come as a sudden shock to the fans rather Aaron Donald was teasing about his return on social media for a while before returning after three years.

But now after Week 3 of 2026, the defensive tackle is injured getting himself unavailable for Week 4. But Los Angeles Rams have something to cheer about as their wide receiver Puka Nacua gets back from injury.

Aaron Donald gets injured after return but Puka Nacua returns

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles because of back soreness. In the two games he has played this season, Donald has been on the field for about 56% of the defensive snaps, showing that the Rams have been carefully managing his workload rather than deploying him as an every-down force.

The soreness surfaced after the Rams' Week 3 loss to the Denver Broncos. While the team has not released extensive medical details, the timing suggests the physical toll of playing at an elite level again after time away may be a factor. Rams head coach Sean McVay addressed the decision directly and thoughtfully on Friday. He made clear that the choice to hold Donald out was not about questioning the player's toughness or ability, but about responsible long-term management.

"I think our job as coaches is [to] put our players in positions to have successful outcomes," McVay said . "He's as tough as it gets, just not feeling good enough. And I think it would be irresponsible on my part — and obviously talking with [team doctor] Reggie [Scott] — to ask him. He would do it and he could probably go be productive, but part of our job is to protect these tough dudes like him from themselves. … He's working as hard as he can to get himself feeling as good as possible. And we're hopeful and optimistic that good days are ahead," he added.

On the offensive side, the news is more encouraging. Wide receiver Puka Nacua is set to return after missing the previous two games with a hip injury. The issue first appeared during practice on September 17, when Nacua felt pain while trying to change direction. In the season opener he produced solid numbers with five receptions for 74 yards. So his return gives quarterback Matthew Stafford another reliable target and restores a key piece of the Rams' passing attack.

McVay was clearly encouraged by what he saw from Nacua in practice leading up to the game. He described the receiver's physical condition in positive terms while still noting the need for careful management of his snap count after the absence. "Physically he's getting in and out of his breaks, looks strong, looks sturdy, looks explosive," McVay said. "I think it'll really just be a feel for the overall conditioning. Hoping the magic of the jersey on Sundays, he's feeling real good there."

McVay also talked about what he felt seeing Nacua on pratice Thursday. "I thought he handled it well. In terms of the snap count, that's the thing that we have to be willing to navigate. But we've got confidence in some other guys that have played meaningful snaps in his absence. But he does look good. He looks strong, and he looks ready to go," McVay said.

The combination of Donald's absence and Nacua's return creates a mixed injury picture for the Rams heading into a significant NFC matchup. Donald's injury is a notable setback for a player who only recently returned to the field after coming out of retirement in late August. But having Puka Nacua is definitely a big relief.