Will Puka Nacua play in Week 1? Rams insider delivers crucial update on star receiver

Puka Nacua is expected to play in the Rams' season opener. The star receiver has been dealing with a psoas injury, but the signs out of Los Angeles are positive.

The Rams meet the 49ers in Australia in Week 1, a game played on the other side of the world. Nacua has spent weeks managing the injury, but he is back in stride.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler delivered the update on SportsCenter.

Fowler: Rams expect Nacua to play in the opener

"They're banged up, they're bringing everybody to Australia. They're hoping that everybody can play," Fowler said.

"Puka Nacua has a psoas injury. You don't hear that very often. They held him out for a few weeks, taken it easy with him. He's been back in stride this week. No setbacks."

"I'm hearing that the Rams expect him to play. So, you should have Matthew Stafford, Puka, Davante Adams in that vaunted passing game now."

It is exactly the news Rams fans wanted. The extra time at home during their travel preparation has given Nacua a chance to heal.

Head coach Sean McVay is optimistic too.

"Been hitting some high speed yards at a really good clip with Reggie [Scott] and his group," McVay said. "And when we get back out there, it'll be fun to have him."

There is also no suspension incoming for the receiver, despite his off-field issues this summer, leaving him available for the curtain raiser.

The timing matters beyond Week 1. Nacua is entering a contract season on his four-year, $4.1 million rookie-scale deal.

He led the NFL in receptions and yards per catch in 2025 and narrowly missed Offensive Player of the Year to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has since reset the market with a $120 million deal in Seattle.

Nacua, a two-time Pro Bowler and First Team All-Pro, has more than outplayed his draft slot. A big season, healthy and available, sets him up for a market-resetting extension.

First things first. The game in Australia kicks off on Netflix, and the Rams' most important receiver is expected to be in the line-up.