Puka Nacua Playing Through Calf Problem After Practice Diagnosis

Overview

• Nacua played after Thursday practice imaging cleared him of structural calf damage, which let the Rams build a plan to have him on the field for the Oct. 25 game.
• He ran about 85% of offensive snaps against the Raiders on Oct. 25 and caught eight passes for 68 yards and an 11-yard touchdown in the Rams’ 35-21 win.
• Nacua says his recovery now involves daily treatment, adjustments to his insoles and extra work with the team’s training and equipment staff to manage the calf.
• He accepted a blocking assignment on a running play against Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby and later acknowledged Crosby 'won the battle,' underscoring the physical risk of playing while limited.
• With Davante Adams on injured reserve and thin receiver depth, coaches are curbing Nacua’s practice reps and closely monitoring his game workload to balance short-term performance and longer-term health.