Samson Nacua nearly scored the most thrilling touchdown of the NFL preseason just before halftime on Sunday as the New Orleans Saints lost 30-27 to the Tennessee Titans.
With four seconds left in the second quarter, Titans kicker Brayden Narveson attempted a 58-yard field goal. The kick was well under the uprights, giving Nacua the chance to field the ball in the end zone and return it.
Nacua cut to the left sideline on his own 3-yard line and, thanks to two blocks, found a lane down the left sideline to get to midfield. From there, he cut back to the right sideline and found open space across the field to run another 40 yards. With two blockers accompanying him and only Titans lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere in pursuit, Nacua was on his way to scoring a spectacular touchdown.
However, Tennessee tight end Thomas Odukoya got in hot pursuit to push Nacua to the sideline. Odukoya took the blocker to Nacua and forced him to step out on the 3-yard line before he could run into the end zone. After running 106 yards, Nacua nearly had a kick-six score, but came up just short. And with the halftime clock winding down, it was all for naught.
Nacua, 26, is the older brother of Los Angeles Rams star receiver Puka Nacua and originally signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent following his time at BYU. (He also played four seasons at Utah.) He has spent the past two years playing in professional spring leagues, first with the USFL’s Pittsburgh Maulers in 2023. This year, he has caught 11 passes for 125 yards with the UFL’s Michigan Panthers.
The Saints signed Nacua in August and if his play on Sunday is any indication, he has a strong chance to make the roster as a return specialist, though New Orleans already has a deep roster of receivers.
Spencer Rattler looks sharp in pre-season training
Derek Carr is under contract with the Saints through 2026. But if he doesn’t play well or New Orleans doesn’t want to pay him the $30-80 million he’s due over the final two years of his contract, rookie Spencer Rattler presents himself as a possible option to take over as the Saints’ starting quarterback.
Rattler impressed Saints fans with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Equanimeous St. Brown in the second quarter for New Orleans’ first score of the game. It was Rattler’s first TD pass of the preseason.
The fifth-round pick (No. 150 overall) also threw a 43-yard pass to AT Perry in the fourth quarter, making a deep throw look almost effortless and setting up another score for New Orleans.
Rattler took over for Jake Haener in the second quarter, completing 7 of 13 passes for 105 yards. Haener threw for 87 yards on 8 of 17 passes.
The rookie is clearly of more interest to fans and media following the team, with many predicting him to be the Saints’ starter next year, if not at some point this season. In three preseason games, he threw for 202 yards and completed 20 of 38 passes (53%).
That pass completion percentage will need to improve (he was a 69% passer in college) — and the drops at receivers haven’t helped — but Rattler’s ability to make big plays and his youth are enticing.
