The Rams open Puka Nacua’s practice window after a while on injured reserve

LOS ANGELES – The Rams opened the 21-day practice window for star second-year receiver Puka Nacua on Tuesday.

This practice was just one session as the Rams prepare to host the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football, but Nacua’s estimated participation in a full practice would have come with a limited call-up, the team said.

Nacua has been on injured reserve since the Rams’ season opener in Detroit after suffering a knee injury in training camp over the summer that re-aggravated it. During a breakout rookie season, he broke the previous 63-year-old rookie receiver record with 1,486 yards, which also ranked 4th among all receivers in 2023.

According to head coach Sean McVay, he initially injured his knee during a joint training camp with the Los Angeles Chargers, which was attributed to landing on a bursa.

Nacua, who McVay said did not require any intervention, has undergone knee rehab since leaving the Detroit game in the first half. He returned to the huddle for the first time on Tuesday, albeit in the walkthrough.

“I think it’s just great for him to be around again and hear calls,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “Running around and doing all these things. I know we missed him as a player and I think he missed the game a little bit and his rehab is so time consuming and takes away from his time with us. That’s why it’s great to have him back with us.”

Stafford said he and other teammates made it a point to check in on Nacua, who battled some injuries in college but missed his first significant time because of that knee injury.

“That’s one of the biggest challenges with an injury that doesn’t just last a week or so. Are there times when you can feel like, ‘Man, you’re not a part of what’s going on sometimes?'” “Stafford said. “I’ve been there, I was there in 2022 for the second half of the season (Stafford suffered a spinal cord contusion), and it’s a tough feeling.

“So just try to check on him as best you can. We are all a supportive group here, we all care deeply for each other. I check on all these guys as often as I can, just to make sure they know I’m thinking about them. At some point they will be important to our team.”

McVay did not speak to the media on Tuesday (the shortened week makes it a “Thursday” in a regular week, and that day is designated for coordinators). But offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said Nacua’s status before Thursday night’s game was “Away” to establish, and he noted that Nacua has not played football at full speed for a long time.

“I haven’t seen him on the field since that Detroit game on Sunday night, so having him at least with us and coming back is a pretty good deal,” LaFleur said.

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(Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)