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Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) will be on the sideline for much of camp. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)
Nothing serious. Nothing structurally significant.
That’s how Rams coach Sean McVay on Tuesday described the knee injury star receiver Puka Nacua suffered during a joint practice with the Chargers on Sunday.
If there is cause for concern — and anything related to injuries and the record-setting Nacua qualifies — McVay masked it.
Nacua, who is “week to week,” McVay said, will not participate in a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday or upcoming practices with the Chargers and Houston Texans. He would not have played in preseason games against those teams even if healthy.
Nacua will be ready to play in the Sept. 8 opener against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, McVay said.
Read more: Tre’Davious White already inspiring remodeled Rams secondary but when will he play?
“He’ll be in good shape and he’ll recover and we’ll be ready to go,” McVay said after practice at Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks. “No threat of anything for Detroit.”
McVay said “a little bursa sac” in Nacua’s right knee burst when the receiver came down hard on the turf while attempting to make a contested catch in the end zone against the Chargers in El Segundo. Nacua also absorbed contact on several plays thereafter.
Fourth-year pro Tutu Atwell is expected to step into Nacua’s role as the “Z” receiver in the starting lineup with Cooper Kupp and Demarcus Robinson.
In 2023, Atwell caught 39 passes for 483 yards and three touchdowns. This season, a contract year for the 2021 second-round draft pick, he also could handle kickoff returns.
Rams cornerback Tre’Davious White (27) tries to hold wide receiver Tutu Atwell (5) as they pursue a pass during camp. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)
“Just trying to step my game up a little more,” Atwell said. “I felt like the last two years I did good, but every year you want to take a step.”
Veteran…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-declare-puka-nacua-recover-021248747.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-08-07 02:12:48
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