Puka Nacua Questionable for Monday Night — Missed Two Practices with Hip/Groin Issue, Rams’ Game Plan Now in L
The Los Angeles Rams listed star WR Puka Nacua as questionable for Monday’s game against the New York Giants after he missed Friday and Saturday practices with a hip issue and groin soreness. The official NFL a
By SLAM Intel Desk · 4 min read · Updated Sep 20, 2026, 1:40 PM EDT
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Lede — A key Rams weapon is uncertain for Monday night
Puka Nacua, the Los Angeles Rams’ top receiving threat in Week 1, is officially listed as questionable for Monday night’s game against the New York Giants after missing both Friday and Saturday practices with a hip issue and groin soreness, the NFL wrote in its team update. CBS Sports’ Week 2 injury report also shows Nacua as questionable.
The Rams have not issued a gameday decision; the team’s official notes say the groin soreness is separate from the psoas problem Nacua dealt with in training camp.
What we know right now
• Official status: The Rams placed Nacua on the injury report as 'questionable' for Monday’s matchup, per NFL.com and CBS Sports.
• Practice absence: Nacua did not participate in Friday’s practice and also missed Saturday’s session because of a hip problem accompanied by groin soreness, according to the team’s injury update and reporting from Yahoo Sports.
• What hasn’t been confirmed: Outside outlets have reported that the issue may be "trending in the wrong direction," but that language has not been corroborated by the team or the NFL; the exact severity and whether he will be inactive or limited on game day remains unknown.
How the Rams’ game plan changes if Nacua can’t go
If Nacua is unavailable, Los Angeles loses its most consistent intermediate threat from Week 1 and a player who can create mismatches across the formation. The immediate tactical consequence: the Rams are likely to funnel a much larger share of targets to Davante Adams and increase reliance on the tight end group in short-to-intermediate passing concepts.
Depth receivers listed by the team — including the likes of Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, CJ Daniels and Tutu Atwell — would step into more snaps, but none has shown the same capacity as Nacua to consistently stretch coverage in early-season game action. Expect more designed runs and play-action to create one-on-one opportunities for Adams and the tight ends if the Rams lose Nacua’s availability.
Why this matters for Monday Night and beyond
This is a Monday night of consequence because Nacua’s status alters both the Rams’ short-term playcalling and the longer-term evaluation of their receiving room depth. The team entered the season with high expectations; losing a top route‑runner for even one night makes offensive gameplans easier for a prepared Giants staff.
For viewers and fantasy managers, the immediate watch items are: the Rams’ official gameday report, any pregame designation about a limited role, and who logs target share in the first two drives. For the Rams’ coaching staff, the decision will be balancing Nacua’s health risk against the leverage his presence gives the offense late in close games.
Sources and attribution
- NFLPublished Sep 19, 2026, 2:47 PM EDT
Reporting attributed to NFL.
- CBS SportsPublished Sep 19, 2026, 2:55 PM EDT
Reporting attributed to CBS Sports.
- Yahoo SportsPublished Sep 20, 2026, 11:31 AM EDT
Reporting attributed to Yahoo Sports.
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