Update on Puka Nacua injury: Rams star WR has timetable for possible return, according to report

The Los Angeles Rams were happy to have one of the shooting stars of the 2023 season in their offense with wideout Puka Nacua. However, his impact on the early part of the 2024 season was short-lived after recurrence of a knee injury he had to deal with it in the club's Week 1 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions this summer. He has been on the injured list since then, meaning he will miss the Rams' next four games, including their Week 2 road game against the Arizona Cardinals.

While four games is the minimum number of games Nacua must miss, his actual timeline for his return is now coming into focus. According to ESPN, the second-year pass catcher could be out between five and seven weeks, depending on how quickly his PCL injury heals.

Los Angeles has a Week 6 bye, so the earliest Nacua can return is Week 7 for a home game against the Las Vegas Raiders. That would put him right on the five-week schedule suggested in this report. If he plays in the second half of a seven-week absence, the Rams will play at Seattle in Week 9 on Nov. 3.

The Rams are reportedly taking a cautious approach with Nacua to ensure he is not sent back too quickly and increases the possibility of another setback.

With the 23-year-old out, veteran Cooper Kupp will take on an even greater load in the passing game. Veteran wideouts Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson should also factor into Matthew Stafford's target share.

Nacua is coming off a record-breaking rookie season, setting new single-season rookie records with 105 receptions and 1,486 receiving yards. That led to him being a fifth-round pick out of BYU in 2023 and being named to the All-Pro second team.