Rams star Puka Nacua expected to play Sunday; Aaron Donald questionable
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Rams receiver Puka Nacua, who was sidelined the last two games because of a hip injury, is expected to play on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, coach Sean McVay said Wednesday.
Nacua went through an on-field workout last Sunday in Denver before the Rams’ loss to the Broncos. He was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, according to the Rams’ injury report.
McVay said he was “excited” to have Nacua back.
“It adds a great football player that’s a huge part of our offense,” McVay said, “and it’s a big deal.”
The 30-26 defeat by the Broncos dropped the Rams’ record to 1-2 heading into their game against the Eagles on Sunday in Philadelphia.
In Nacua’s absence, veteran Davante Adams produced back-to-back performances of more than 100-yards receiving.
Sean McVay says he refuses to “play the victim card” after a controversial pass interference call on Denver’s final drive helped the Broncos beat the Rams.
While Nacua is on track to return, another Rams star could be questionable.
Defensive lineman Aaron Donald did not practice Wednesday because of a back issue.
Is Donald at risk of not playing against the Eagles?
“We’re just taking it a day at a time,” McVay said. “I wouldn’t want to say anything of that nature yet.”
The Rams, as they do after games that involve questionable calls made by officials, reached out to the NFL after the loss to the Broncos, specifically regarding an interception by Rams defensive back Josh Wallace that was nullified by a pass interference call against him.
McVay thought the play — that, had it stood, probably would have clinched a Rams victory — was not pass interference.
“They agreed with me,” McVay.
McVay said the goal was not to determine if the call was correct or incorrect, but to get feedback that could help coaches educate and instruct players.
“That’s the thing I’m really worried about,” McVay said. “That game is over with. We’re a 1-2 football team and you’ve got to be able to move forward, and that’s where we’re at.”
So McVay received confirmation there was nothing that Wallace could have done differently?
“That’s correct,” McVay said.
Etc.
Tight end Colby Parkinson (knee/shoulder), tight end Terrance Ferguson (ankle) and cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder) did not practice. … On his cameo in Taylor Swift’s “Patient Zero” video, quarterback Matthew Stafford said: “It was pretty cool to be a part of it. I’ve never been a part of it before. I probably won’t ever again based on my acting chops but it was a cool day.” … Eagles first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion played two seasons under McVay in 2017 and 2018. He was an assistant for the Green Bay Packers under coach Matt LaFleur, who was the Rams’ offensive coordinator under McVay in 2017.
