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.
