The hit – the one that caused Puka Nacua to be ejected against the Seattle Seahawks – is in the past, if not completely forgotten.
Nacua will no doubt hear from the NFL about a fine, but the Rams’ star receiver has moved on.
“I’m trying to put that behind me for good,” Nacua said after training on Friday.
On Monday night, Nacua aims to be on the field for the entire game against the Miami Dolphins at SoFi Stadium. Will the physical and verbal Nacua be reluctant to engage defensive players?
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“I don’t think so,” he said, adding that with the presence of teammates like edge rushers Byron Young and Jared Verse and linebacker Omar Speights, “everyone is always ready to throw a punch.”
“So,” he continued, “it’s fun to get back in there and say, ‘Man, everyone’s ready to hit.’ It’s just being a little extra aware of some of the thoughts after the piece where people say, ‘Ah, I’m going to take my chance.’
Nacua, who enjoyed a record-breaking rookie season last year, has played just one full game this season. After suffering a right knee sprain during a joint practice with the Chargers, he aggravated the injury during the opener against the Detroit Lions. Nacua served five games on injured reserve before returning in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings and catching seven passes for 106 yards.
However, a few days before last Sunday’s game in Seattle, Nacua fell hard on the knee and left practice. He recovered in time to play and caught one pass for 11 yards before being ejected in the second quarter for hitting linebacker Tyrel Dodson after an interception.
“It wasn’t even a good hit,” Rams receiver Cooper Kupp deadpanned on Friday.
Because of Nacua’s talent, success and his physical playing style, he has “a target on his back,” Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said.
“And that’s the truth, in terms of when you put the tape on, what you do in terms of your physicality, and the caliber of player that he is,” LaFleur said, “that’s a sign of respect that people will get behind to go. and chirping at him and stuff.
“It’s a good lesson for him, and he won’t make that mistake.”
Nacua sounded as if he had no intention of changing his playing style, regardless of opponents’ statements against him. He said he would not let anyone “impose his will” and that he would “stand by my position.”
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“Not everyone wants to play football with the same physicality that I do,” he said, adding that his goal is to “bring it” to every game.
“So it’s also a nice subtle reminder to myself, like, ‘Man, every game is somebody’s chance to make a hit or get a hit,’” he said. “And I definitely want to be the one to make it.”
The Dolphins (2-6), coming off a 30-27 loss to the Buffalo Bills, are allowing 183.1 yards passing per game, which ranks fourth in the NFL. While Nacua and Kupp practiced all week, receiver Demarcus Robinson did not practice Thursday and was limited Friday due to toe and hip problems, the injury report said.
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Robinson has four touchdown catches in the last two games, including the 39-yard, one-handed game winner in overtime in Seattle.
If Kupp, Nacua and Robinson start Monday night, it will be only the fourth time this season that quarterback Matthew Stafford has targeted the three from the first play.
“It’s fun, but it’s not like we get into a group and think, ‘Oh, look.’ We’re all here,” Kupp said, laughing. “There are so many guys that can make plays. … The depth we have … is pretty special.
Etc.
Offensive linemen Jonah Jackson (shoulder) and Steve Avila (knee) were full participants in the practice. Safety Kam Curl (knee) and offensive lineman Kevin Dotson (ankle/knee) were limited. …Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass visited the Rams’ Woodland Hills facility on Friday and received a No. 24 jersey emblazoned with “Mayor Bass.”
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
