Tag: Puka Nacua

Rams’ Puka Nacua apologizes, ‘had no idea’ gesture was offensive

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua apologized on Thursday for performing a potential touchdown celebration that included an antisemitic undertone.

“When I appeared the other day on a social media livestream, it was suggested to me to perform a specific movement as part of my next touchdown celebration,” Nacua posted on social media. “At the time, I had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people.

“I deeply apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions as I do not stand for any form of racism, bigotry or hate of another group of people.”

Appearing on a livestream on Wednesday, internet personality Adin Ross guided Nacua through the celebration which ended with the latter looking into the camera and rubbing his hands together.

Ross asked Nacua to use the celebration if he scores a touchdown on Thursday when the Rams (11-3) visit the Seattle Seahawks (11-3) in an NFC West showdown.

“I promise. I got you, bro,” Nacua said.

Widespread condemnation on social media followed, with Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) calling on Nacua to apologize.

“The Los Angeles Jewish community is on edge after the Bondi Beach massacre,” Swalwell wrote on X, formerly Twitter. He added that Nacua “should apologize or be dropped.”

The NFL issued a statement on Thursday regarding the Nacua incident: “The NFL strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and derogatory behavior directed towards any group or individual. The continuing rise of antisemitism must be addressed across the world, and the NFL will continue to stand with our partners in this fight. Hatred has no place in our sport or society.”

–Field Level Media

Rams expect WR Puka Nacua (rib) to play vs. 49ers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is expected to play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers despite a rib injury, Rams coach Sean McVay said on Wednesday.

Nacua, 24, will be limited at practice on Wednesday, but after his rib imaging came back clean, he should play on Sunday, the coach said. The 49ers (6-3) host the Rams (6-2) in a tight race in the NFC West.

McVay had said after the 34-10 home win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday that Nacua’s injury wasn’t serious.

“I think he’s going to be good. He got his ribs (hurt),” McVay said after the game. “He could have come back in the game, but we kind of had command. Felt like it was the smart thing.”

Nacua was injured in the third quarter on a 3-yard rushing play in which he was tackled by Saints linebacker Demario Davis with under six minutes remaining. He went to the locker room to be examined and was initially listed as questionable to return with a chest injury. He returned to the field early in the fourth quarter.

Nacua had seven receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown before exiting.

Nacua missed Los Angeles’ previous game against Jacksonville on Oct. 19 due to an ankle injury. The Rams had a bye last week.

Overall, Nacua has 61 receptions on a league-leading 73 targets for 711 yards and three scoring receptions in seven games this season. A Pro Bowl selection as a rookie in 2023, Nacua had 105 and 79 receptions, respectively, in his first two NFL campaigns for a total of 2,476 yards and nine touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) celebrates after a play against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Rams WR Puka Nacua ruled out in London vs. Jaguars

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua was ruled out on Friday for a matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in London.

Head coach Sean McVay delivered the expected verdict on the status of Nacua on Friday.

Nacua sustained a sprained left ankle in the second quarter of Sunday’s 17-3 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. He briefly returned in the second half, albeit in a limited capacity.

The Rams (4-2) have a bye in Week 8, which would afford Nacua multiple weeks to recover.

Jordan Whittington, who has 10 receptions for 112 yards this season, likely would see a bigger role this week in the absence of Nacua. Davante Adams is the second-leading receiver on the roster with 26 receptions for 396 yards and three touchdowns.

Nacua, 24, has 54 catches for 616 yards and two TDs and leads the team in targets (65).

McVay also ruled out right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) against the Jaguars (4-2).

Havenstein, 33, has started all 145 games in which he has played since being selected by the Rams in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) is helped off the field by trainers during the second quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Rams WR Puka Nacua (ankle) could miss London game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is unlikely to play in London this weekend due to a sprained left ankle, NFL Network reported Monday.

Nacua left Sunday’s 17-3 victory at Baltimore in the second quarter because of a lower leg injury before returning in the second half in a limited capacity.

The Rams (4-2) originally said Nacua was questionable to return against the Ravens (1-5). Coach Sean McVay said afterward that Nacua had an ankle injury and doesn’t know if he will be ready for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

Los Angeles has a bye in Week 8, which would afford Nacua multiple weeks to recover.

Jordan Whittington, who has 10 receptions for 112 yards this season, would see his role increase if Nacua can’t play this week. Davante Adams is the second-leading receiver on the roster with 26 receptions for 396 yards and three touchdowns. Nacua has 54 catches for 616 yards and two TDs and leads the team in targets (65).

Nacua, 24, was injured while trying to make a catch in the end zone. He held his leg in pain. After a visit from trainers, he was helped back to the locker room before returning to the sideline.

He finished with two catches on three targets for 28 yards. Nacua entered Sunday’s game leading the NFL in receptions (52), receiving yards (588) and receiving first downs (31).

Running back Blake Corum, in his second season with the Rams, sustained a right ankle injury and finished with five carries for 23 yards.

–Field Level Media

Nov 17, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) reacts in pain after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Rams WR Puka Nacua (leg) questionable to return

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua left Sunday’s road game against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter because of a left lower leg injury and did not return before halftime.

The Rams said Nacua was questionable to return.

Los Angels running back Blake Corum also left the game at the same time with an apparent right ankle injury and was ruled questionable to return.

Nacua injured his foot while trying to make a catch in the end zone. He held his lower left leg in pain. After a visit from trainers, he was helped back to the locker room before returning to the sideline.

Nacua entered Sunday’s game leading the NFL in receptions (52), receiving yards (588) and receiving first downs (31). He added three more catches for 28 yards against the Ravens.

Corum, in his second season with the Rams, had four carries for 14 yards before departing.

-Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) is carted off the field after being injured against the Detroit Lions in the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Reports: Rams WR Puka Nacua could be out until Week 9

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua could be sidelined for up to seven weeks as he waits for his posterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee to heal, multiple media outlets reported on Sunday.

Nacua re-injured his knee during the Rams’ 26-20 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions last Sunday. He was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, with the move guaranteeing Nacua will miss at least four games.

The Rams have their bye in Week 6, thus putting his earliest return date as Week 7 against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders. A quick turnaround with a Thursday night game is on tap for Week 8.

Per reports, the Rams likely will elect to play it safe given Nacua aggravated the injury already and may delay his return for their Week 9 game against the host Seattle Seahawks.

Nacua, 23, had four catches for 35 yards against the Lions.

He set rookie records with 105 receptions for 1,486 yards in 17 starts last season. He hauled in six touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) is carted off the field after being injured against the Detroit Lions in the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Rams place WR Puka Nacua, pair of OL on IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Rams officially placed dynamic wide receiver Puka Nacua and two starting offensive linemen on injured reserve Wednesday amid a flurry of moves.

Guard Steve Avila, left tackle Joe Noteboom and Nacua all will have to miss at least four games.

In corresponding moves, the Rams signed Geron Christian off their practice squad and signed fellow offensive lineman Dylan McMahon off the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Nacua, 23, suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee Sunday night against the Detroit Lions. Nacua appeared to sustain the injury on a 6-yard catch with 6:36 left in the second quarter of the Rams’ 26-20 loss at Lions. He had four catches for 35 yards.

Avila, 24, suffered an MCL sprain during the game. The veteran Noteboom (high ankle sprain) will miss at least a few weeks and guard Kevin Dotson (lateral ankle sprain) is considered day-to-day.

The Rams also brought back veteran defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon to their practice squad. He started all 17 games for the club last year.

–Field Level Media