Puka Nacua (groin) trending toward second straight absence ahead of Rams–Broncos

Puka Nacua remains sidelined with groin soreness heading into the Rams' Week 3 matchup against Denver, a non-participant at Wednesday's practice and trending toward a second consecutive absence. The injury date has been resolved to approximately September 19, 2026, meaning Nacua is now roughly five days into what is best characterized as a soft-tissue groin injury — likely a Grade 1–2 adductor or hip flexor strain, though the grade is INFERRED from reported language rather than confirmed by imaging or an official team medical disclosure.

At five days post-injury, Nacua sits right at the opening edge of the biological window for this injury type. A Grade 1 groin/adductor strain carries a literature floor of one to two weeks; Grade 2 extends that to two to five weeks. The continued non-participation midweek is a mildly concerning signal — players with true Grade 1 presentations often show some functional improvement by Wednesday of the following week. A full DNP this far into the week without measurable trajectory improvement points toward the moderate end of the spectrum, though it does not yet confirm Grade 2.

For a wide receiver — a position where explosive acceleration, route-running cuts, and push-off mechanics place direct load on the adductor complex — even a partial-strength return carries real reinjury risk. Nacua's role in the Rams' offense demands full lower-extremity force production; this is not an injury position groups like offensive line can easily play through at reduced capacity. The Questionable tag is an availability label rather than a clinical timeline, and given his trajectory, his absence Sunday would be consistent with the biology. Thursday and Friday practice reports will be the key signals: any upgrade to limited participation would meaningfully shift the outlook.