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AROUND THE SHIELD — Puka Nacua's follow-up to a record-setting season by an NFL rookie wide receiver may be on hold, for the time being.
The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver will reportedly be week-to-week after suffering a knee injury Sunday, as first reported Monday by ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Nacua, 23, left the Rams' joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday after getting up slowly during a team drill. Rams coach Sean McVay didn't offer an update on Nacua's status at the time, saying he was "not sure" about the second-year wide receiver's injury, according to team reporter Stu Jackson.
The injury came after Nacua made one of the highlight plays of the practice, catching a rocket from quarterback Matthew Stafford with a quick snare over the middle, according to Jackson.
The Rams are off Monday and will return to practice Tuesday, when team personnel can potentially update the status of the former BYU and Orem High standout who set league rookie records with 105 catches for 1,486 receiving yards a year ago.
Schefter added that one source deemed Nacua's injury as "not serious." But he is expected to be sidelined during Thursday's joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys, according to Los Angeles Times reporter Gary Klein.
If Nacua misses time, such as for the Rams' preseason game Sunday against the Cowboys, Tutu Atwell would likely join Cooper Kupp and Demarcus Robinson as starting wide receivers, per multiple outlets that cover the team.
More injuries in LA: Rams standout WR Puka Nacua is now considered week to week after suffering a knee injury this weekend that one source described as "not serious." pic.twitter.com/1VVwugcKDn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 5, 2024
Saints add another Nacua
Puka's older brother, Samson, is getting another shot at the league, too.
The New Orleans Saints announced the addition of the former Timpview High, BYU and Utah wide receiver Friday after waiving quarterback Nathan Peterman.
The 6-foot-3, 206-pound pass catcher most recently played for the Michigan Panthers in the UFL, where Samson Nacua caught 11 passes for 125 yards while playing with his older brother Kai.
The 26-year-old Nacua was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2022, making two catches for 26 yards and a touchdown in preseason before being waived.
Jack Coan to Samson Nacua for the @Colts TD!
— NFL (@NFL) August 20, 2022
📱: Stream #DETvsIND on NFL+ https://t.co/wdgAWXJg5ipic.twitter.com/bnyEsamAT8
Bucs place Sua Opeta on IR
Former Weber State guard Sua Opeta's season is officially over.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed the Stansbury High product on injured reserve Friday after Opeta tore his ACL in practice last Tuesday night, according to Pro Football Talk.
Such injuries usually require nine months to a year for a full recovery, but even if Opeta came back early, he would not be eligible to rejoin the team because he was put on IR before the league-required cut to a 53-man roster.
Before the injury, Opeta had been among the leading contenders to start at left guard after signing with the Bucs as an unrestricted free agent in March. Opeta spent the past four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, making 10 starts in 38 games play at both right and left guard for a total of 527 snaps on offense.
