Rams get huge Puka Nacua boost ahead of showdown with Eagles

The Los Angeles Rams finally got some good news on Wednesday after a Sunday Night Football gut-punch game that saw nothing go their way.

Rams’ head coach Sean McVay announced that All-Pro wide receiver Puka Nacua would return to the the practice field on Wednesday, and barring another unwanted twist, is “expected” to be back where he belongs on the line of scrimmage when the team takes on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

McVay added that Nacua would be a limited participant Wednesday, but after a great workout on the field at Mile High Stadium in Denver before the Sunday night game against the Broncos, Nacua is on the right track to return at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 4.

Returning to practice is a significant step forward for Nacua, who had not practiced in nearly two weeks while dealing with the groin injury that knocked him out of consecutive games against the New York Giants and Denver Broncos. The Rams had officially listed the injury as a hip issue, though McVay previously characterized the problem as being in the groin area.

Los Angeles has handled Nacua like expensive glass ever since the injury surfaced following a full practice while preparing for the Giants.

“When you have soft tissue injuries with guys like that that are skilled players, you’re going to err on the side of caution,” McVay said after Nacua initially went down.

That caution appears to have paid off.

Nacua caught five passes for 74 yards in the Rams’ season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne but hasn’t played since. His absence has removed one of Matthew Stafford’s most dangerous weapons from an offense that has been forced to lean heavily on Davante Adams.

Now Stafford appears poised to get his All-Pro receiver back for a marquee NFC matchup that the Rams need to win to avoid falling to 1-3 on the season.

The Rams did receive another injury concern Wednesday. Aaron Donald will not practice because of a soreness in his back, giving Los Angeles another health situation to watch as the week unfolds.

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