LOS ANGELES — The Rams held just a walk-through on Wednesday as they continued to turn their bodies around from their Monday night victory over the New York Giants, but wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) was estimated to be a non-participant in the walk-through as he tries to work his back onto the field.
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The Rams (1-1) aren’t sure if Nacua will play on Sunday night against the Denver Broncos (1-1), head coach Sean McVay said on Wednesday, but he kept open the possibility that the All-Pro receiver will return to practice later this week.
“These soft tissue things, I wish I had better information,” McVay lamented.
Nacua was held out of the Rams’ Week 2 game after securing five catches for 74 yards in the season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. He also dealt with a psoas strain during training camp, but McVay has said the two injuries are not related.
The Rams are hopeful that the groin does not become a long-term issue, McVay said, but it’s also not an injury that they want to rush Nacua back from or ask him to play through.
“It’s some of those things that can kind of be pre-hernia,” McVay said, clarifying that Nacua does not in fact have a hernia. “You err on the side of caution. Usually time is the best thing that allows that thing to heal. And then once you get to a certain point then I think you feel pretty good moving forward.”
Nacua is not the only Rams receiver dealing with a leg issue as Jordan Whittington (quadriceps) was estimated to be a non-participant on Wednesday, too. McVay said Whittington’s situation is similar to Nacua’s, with some hope that the third-year receiver could return against the Broncos but not at the expense of hurrying him back before he’s ready.
“It’s our job to make sure that we’re protecting them, putting them in positions to have successful outcomes and also have a long-term vision,” McVay said.
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RIVERS TO IR
The Rams placed third-string running back and special teams ace Ronnie Rivers on injured reserve on Wednesday with a calf strain.
Rivers injured the calf while jumping up in the air to loosen himself up during Monday’s game. The expectation is that he will miss 4-6 weeks, McVay said. The Rams will need to call up a third running back in Rivers’ place, and McVay said the Rams would pick between practice squad options Jordan Waters and Dean Connors with special teams contributions receiving the primary consideration.
The Rams signed safety Maximus Pulley off the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad as a corresponding move. Pulley, an undrafted free agent this spring, had five interceptions and 10 pass breakups as a senior at Wofford.
“He’s a guy that we had some like for for his college tape,” McVay said.
PRACTICE REPORT
Tight end Colby Parkinson (knee) and safety Kam Kinchens (hamstring) were estimated as non-participants in practice on Wednesday, while left tackle Alaric Jackson (knee), tight end Terrance Ferguson (ankle) and linebacker Nate Landman (shoulder) were estimated as limited participants.
Jackson injured his knee in a collision on Monday night and received some attention from the training staff during the game but ultimately did not miss a snap. McVay said he had no reason to believe Jackson would not be able to play against the Broncos.
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