Los Angeles Rams superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua will join veteran Cooper Kupp and return to the field for tonight’s clash with the Minnesota Vikings.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Rams have activated Puka Nacua from the injured reserve. Like Kupp, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, the second-year wideout is good to go for “Thursday Night Football” at SoFi Stadium.
Nacua suffered a knee injury in the Rams’ season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions back in Week 1 and proceeded to miss the next six games. Kupp injured his ankle against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2 but was cleared to return against Minnesota earlier this week.
The #Rams have made it official, activating star WR Puka Nacua from Injured Reserve and he’ll play tonight against the #Vikings. pic.twitter.com/EEVpWjhXqs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 24, 2024
It’s a welcoming development for a Rams team whose playoff hopes are on life support, following a difficult 2-4 start. Understandably, the Matthew Stafford-led offense has struggled mightily without Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.
Focused on Thursday Night!#RamsHouse | 🎟️ » https://t.co/Lz6FN6r4CV pic.twitter.com/fiz6xQr4sd
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 24, 2024
Nacua had a record-setting rookie season in 2023, racking up 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns. The 23-year-old had four catches for 35 yards in Week 1 against the Lions.
Kupp missed 13 games over the 2022 and 2023 seasons due to injury, derailing a potential bid for the Pro Football Hall of Fame after a career year in 2021. Over his first two games of 2024, he had 18 catches for 147 yards and a touchdown.
But finally, the Rams have Puka Nacua and the Super Bowl 56 MVP back in action. A win tonight would improve Sean McVay’s group to 3-4 and keep their minimal playoff hopes alive.
Puka Nacua & Cooper Kupp Change Everything For Rams
The Rams were among football’s biggest surprises a year ago, finishing 10-7 to return to the postseason. That wouldn’t have been possible without the dynamic WR tandem of Nacua and Kupp, who helped Matthew Stafford enjoy a bounce-back season after a forgettable 2022 campaign.
