Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua is off to a dominant start to the season, but his quest to be the NFL’s leading receiver might have taken a hit on Sunday.
Nacua exited the Rams’ win over the Baltimore Ravens with an injury, requiring help to get back to the locker room, That injury could cost him some time, Sean McVay told reporters after the game.
Nacua had an NFL-best 588 yards over his first five games this season, putting himself on a historic reception pace with 52 in that span.
Here’s what you need to know about Nacua’s injury and when he could return.
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What is Puka Nacua’s injury?
The Rams initially labeled Nacua’s injury a foot issue, but McVay clarified after the game that his star receiver was dealing with an ankle injury. On Monday, Ian Rapoport reported that Nacua has an ankle spain.
The injury occurred while Nacua battled Marlon Humphrey for a ball in the end zone. Nacua was able to get up before going back down and grabbing his ankle.
Puka Nacua goes down after a 50/50 ball with Marlon Humphrey 😠pic.twitter.com/py89ji7eMU
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) October 12, 2025
Nacua briefly returned the game, but McVay told reporters the third-year WR was playing through pain.
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How long is Puka Nacua out?
McVay said after the win in Baltimore that he is unsure whether Nacua will be available to play in Week 7 when the Rams face the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
On Monday, Rapoport added that Nacua is “likely” to miss time, and it would “make sense” for Nacua to miss Week 7 with a Rams bye the following week.
The Rams brought in Davante Adams to complement Nacua and potentially fill the void if he was forced to miss time, so Adams could be asked to step up against Jacksonville. The veteran was targeted nine times against the Ravens but only hauled in four catches for 39 yards.
Here’s a closer look at the Rams’ depth chart and which pass-catchers could step up if Nacua sits out Week 7.
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Rams WR depth chart
| WR | Player |
| 1 | Puka Nacua |
| 2 | Davante Adams |
| 3 | Tutu Atwell |
| 4 | Jordan Whittington |
| 5 | Xavier Smith |
| 6 | Kontana Mumpfield |
While Adams is a former All-Pro, Nacua is the Rams’ clear No. 1 wide receiver. Adams is certainly capable of stepping into that role if Nacua is forced to miss time, but the Rams’ depth would be thinner.
Tutu Atwell is a big play threat for the Rams, but he missed Week 6 with a hamstring injury and would be another L.A. receiver worth keeping a close eye on leading up to the team’s London game.
Jordan Whittington, a second-year receiver, made an impact early in his rookie season and has 10 catches on the season, while Xavier Smith and Konata Mumpfield have played sparingly early in the season; Mumpfield, a rookie seventh-round pick, recorded his first NFL catch on Sunday with Nacua in and out of the game.
