**Editor Note: The Los Angeles Rams just announced that Puka Nacua has returned to practice and he has been designated to return.
The Los Angeles Rams offense has been decimated by injuries this season, with the offensive line and receiving corps both dealing with critical losses. Fortunately, there’s more positive news regarding Rams receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua ahead of a Week 7 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Kupp got in a “limited” practice session on Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for Sunday’s matchup against Las Vegas. As of now, the expectation is that Kupp will be listed as questionable on the final NFL injury report for Week 7 and be a true game-time decision.
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The Rams news isn’t as positive on Nacua, but it is trending in the right direction. After head coach Sean McVay announced that Nacua wouldn’t practice this week, there is now an updated timeline on when the star wideout could return.
- Puka Nacua stats (ESPN): 4 receptions for 35 receiving yards
Ahead of Week 7, The Athletic‘s NFL injury report with projected injury return timelines has Nacua returning around Week 8 or 9. However, Greg Scholz notes that the Rams’ receiver will have a “high injury risk” designation when he returns to the field.
“With the Rams on bye in Week 6, he had an extra week of rest. He’s been steadily ramping up his activity and hasn’t suffered any reported setbacks.”
Greg Scholz of The Athletic on Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua
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Nacua originally suffered a knee injury in August during a joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers. He missed three weeks with a burst bursa sac, but the team gave him clearance to play in the season opener. He exited with a knee injury and then left the game for good after trying to play through the issue.
The Rams diagnosed Nacua with a PCL sprain, releasing an initial timeline of 4-6 weeks that he’d missed. Once he’s listed among the team’s inactives, Nacua will have missed six full weeks of action. While the 23-year-old could theoretically return in Week 8, it’s more likely that he will come back on Oct. 24 for a Thursday Night Football matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. However, Los Angeles could buy him even more time with an additional 10 days off in a Week 10 return.
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