RAMS RECEIVER PUKA NACUA NEARS RETURN FROM HIP INJURY
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua took part in a full training session on Thursday for the first time since sustaining a hip injury, having missed the team's previous two games. Nacua said he is "taking it one day at a time" as he works his way back. Rams head coach Sean McVay said the team expects Nacua to return to the lineup for Sunday's Week 4 match against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to reports. Despite Nacua's account of completing a full session, he was officially listed as a limited participant in practice.
Nacua said he first felt symptoms a couple of weeks ago during practice, describing pain and restricted movement during changes of direction that he initially tried to play through before sharp pain forced him to stop. The Rams have described the issue as a hip injury, while it has been referred to elsewhere as a groin problem; Nacua said the affected area covers the front of the hip and groin, with connected effects in both regions. He said he has been working on acceleration and change-of-direction drills to rebuild fitness. Nacua also said he is regaining familiarity with play calls from quarterback Matthew Stafford, describing the process as less unfamiliar than it had been and noting that Stafford is "in full flow and rhythm".
Nacua said he now feels able to perform at the level he did before the injury, describing himself as "one hundred percent" in terms of physical capability while still working through match sharpness. His comments and McVay's update point towards a likely return against the Eagles this coming Sunday in Week 4. No further announcements on his official game-day status had been confirmed at the time of the reports.