Puka Nacua made an unexpected return on Thursday Night Football this week, allowing the Rams wideout to play just hours before kickoff against the Vikings.
Puka Nacua enjoys the return of dreams.
The Rams were missing their rookie sensation from last year earlier this season, and Puka Nacua’s absence from the lineup was noticeable over the final five weeks of the season.
Last year, Nacua broke all kinds of records, including most receiving yards by a rookie in his first year in the NFL (1,486), most receptions by a rookie (105) and most 100-yard games (7) .
Although he couldn’t enjoy a better season in his first year in the league, Nacua didn’t win Rookie of the Season honors after C.J. Stroud’s incredible campaign for the Texans.
Nacua suffered a gruesome injury in the first game of the season this year, with the Rams’ wideout being held off the field against Detroit after suffering a knee injury.
The 23-year-old was finally removed from the Rams injured reserve Thursday afternoon and cleared to play despite not having practiced in a week for the game against Minnesota.
Nacua wasn’t expected to participate in too many offensive snaps on Thursday, but that couldn’t have been more wrong. This was evident on the first play when Matthew Stafford targeted his returning star.
Nacua found his stride after dropping his first catch and made an impact in the Rams win with seven receptions for 106 receiving yards in his first reception of the game.
Puka Nacua on Snap Count:
40 snaps out of 71 (per @PFF)
7 receptions
106 yardsThis was his eighth career 100-yard game, tying Justin Jefferson for second-most in 19 games.pic.twitter.com/yCmtvdrBhf
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) October 25, 2024
Some monster catches from Nacua helped the Rams earn their fourth win of the season, finally getting back to their best with both star wideouts returning to the field.
Cooper Kupp also returned from injury for the Rams with 51 yards and a touchdown. At 3-4 with their star receiver back in action, will the Rams be a playoff contender again…? ? They next face the Seahawks in Week 9.
