Rams rule out Puka Nacua for 'Monday Night Football' vs. Giants

The Los Angeles Rams have ruled out All-Pro wide receiver Puka Nacua for Monday's game against the New York Giants .

After a modest performance in the team's 27-7 loss to the 49ers, in which he caught five passes for 74 yards, Nacua was able to get on the practice field Thursday. But the wideout unexpectedly did not practice Friday, with head coach Sean McVay saying Nacua "didn't feel totally like himself" during Thursday's practice. The Rams eventually listed Nacua on the team's injury report with a hip issue.

After Nacua failed to practice Saturday, McVay added another ailment to the list, saying Nacua was dealing with "a little bit of soreness" to his groin, per ESPN. Despite not practicing both days, Nacua was listed as questionable on the team's final injury report before Monday.

It's a concerning development for Nacua, who already had additional days to recover following the team's Week 1 game against the 49ers. That game aired Thursday night in the United States, giving Nacua a full 10 days to rest up for Week 2.

When healthy, Nacua is considered one of the best receivers in football. After gaining 1,715 receiving yards and scoring 10 touchdowns last season, Nacua was named a first-team All-Pro for the first time in his career.

The 25-year-old has battled minor injuries and ailments since being drafted in 2023. A knee issue caused Nacua to miss five games in 2024 and an ankle issue forced him to miss a game last season. He's popped up on the injury report other times, but has usually played through issues.

Davante Adams projects as the team's de-facto No. 1 option against the Giants. Jordan Whittingham and Tutu Atwell could also see increased snaps. The team could also feature tight end Terrance Ferguson more as a pass catcher.

Regardless of Nacua's status, the Rams need to turn in a much better performance in Week 2. After a listless outing in Week 1, the Rams can't afford to open the year 0-2, not when the team entered the year as one of the Super Bowl favorites.