Rams record-breaking WR will 'be in good shape' after injury scare

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua took the league by storm last season with a record-setting rookie year.

The 2023 NFL Draft's No. 177 overall pick set several records, including the most receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486) in a rookie season, the most receptions by a rookie in a game (15) and the most receiving yards by a rookie in a playoff game (181).

Coming off one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history will be difficult to follow, but Nacua must be healthy to have a chance of doing so.

The 23-year-old recently suffered a knee injury during training camp, but head coach Sean McVay revealed on Tuesday that it's not serious.

"Yeah, he got his knee banged up," McVay said via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "[He] really just had a little bit of a bursa sac, kind of burst it. It's just going to be week-to-week with him. Nothing serious [or] nothing structurally. He'll be in good shape."

That's great news for Los Angeles after injuries hindered wide receiver Cooper Kupp's 2023 season. Of course, that allowed Nacua to emerge, but the Rams will be a much better team in 2024, with both players healthy.

Nacua being considered week-to-week will likely prevent him from seeing any preseason action before the start of the regular season, but that's okay as long as he is ready to go come Week 1 when they take on the Lions.

McVay believes that will be the case, saying Nacua's injury will not affect his availability for the season opener.

"He'll be in good shape," McVay added. "He'll recover, and we'll be ready to go. No threat of anything for Detroit."

Nacua's rookie campaign will be tough to beat regardless of whether he's fully healthy by Week 1, but he's not feeling any pressure.

"No, not really," Nacua said on NFL Network's Schedule Release 2024. "I think coming into this year, I think it definitely presents a challenge of just trying to reset the standard. ... I'm super excited for the challenges that come up this year."