“Rams are optimistic that WR Puka Nacua will play vs. the Raiders,” Adam Schefter reported on X. “Nacua was feeling better Saturday and, as one source said, ‘as long as there aren’t any setbacks, we feel good about him being available to play’.”

What was supposed to be a dream year has turned into a nightmarish ride for the Rams, who sit third in the NFC West with a 2-4 record. As things stand in the NFL season, their best players have made more headlines because of injuries than because of highlight-reel plays.

Nacua raising eyebrows

Coming into the 2026 NFL season, there were many questions surrounding Nacua’s offseason and off-field scandals, but virtually none about his play or ability to lead the Rams’ receiving corps. However, Nacua has barely been able to stay healthy.

When healthy, Nacua could very well be considered the best wideout in the NFL. As cliché as it sounds, availability is indeed the most important ability. Nacua has already missed two games this year and could still miss a third in Week 7.

Nacua’s numbers

So far in the 2026 NFL season, Nacua has caught 37 passes for 512 yards, ranking 16th among WRs, and has scored only one receiving touchdown (he has another on the ground). Nacua’s struggles so far are just par for the course for Los Angeles, as it seems everything that could go wrong has gone terribly wrong.

More job for RBs and TEs

If Nacua is ruled out for Week 7 against the Raiders, the Rams will be staring at a virtually empty wide receiver room, with only Konata Mumpfield, Jordan Whittington, Tutu Atwell, CJ Daniels, and Alex Bachman confirmed to be active.

Missing both Nacua and Adams in Week 7 would only add to the workload and pressure on the shoulders of running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.

Tight ends Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson would also be in line for expanded roles, which has been a common theme for them all year long, as the Rams still have Terrance Ferguson on Injured Reserve (IR).

Key takeaways

• Puka Nacua suffered a calf injury, leaving his Week 7 status questionable for the Rams.
• The Los Angeles Rams sit 2-4 in third place in the NFC West division.
• Puka Nacua has 37 catches for 512 receiving yards during the 2026 NFL season.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network via the Pat McAfee Show, edge rusher Myles Garrett is likely to return to practice next week. Garrett hasn’t played since Week 1 when the Rams lost to the San Francisco 49ers.

After that game, it was reported that Garrett was dealing with a knee injury. After that, the Rams sent him to the IR and it seems that he could come back sooner rather than later for a team desperate to start getting wins.

Garrett was supposed to wreck havoc on the Rams

When the Rams traded to get Garrett, they were supposed to get the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, but haven’t seen him in much action. After all, this was such a blockbuster move, that team legend Aaron Donald came out of retirement to play with Garrett. It seems like that is about to happen.

Just last season, Garrett broke the single-season sack record with 23. He is yet to have a sack as a Rams member. Meanwhile, Donald has had a plethora of double-digit sacks. Hence, both together should be a massive problem to overcome for opponents.

Puka Nacua’s injury isn’t as feared

It was stated that Puka Nacua won’t be sidelined for plenty of time. In fact, he could even play in Week 7, but if not, it’s still not considered a major injury. However, they still have a couple of lengthy injuries, especially the Davante Adams one.

Still, the Rams are supposed to be getting better and healthier as weeks go by. The pressure is on, but they’ve been notoriously slow starters in the last few years. It’s time for the team to turn up the heat.

Key takeaways

• Myles Garrett is likely to return to practice next week after missing time with a knee injury.
• Myles Garrett has not played since Week 1 when the Rams lost to the 49ers.
• Puka Nacua is not expected to be sidelined for a long period of time.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, “WR Puka Nacua suffered what is believed to be a minor calf injury.” However, he also stated his status vs Raiders is “up in the air.” Hence, alerts are going off, as this is a must-win game for the Rams.

Davante Adams ruptured his hamstring, so if Nacua isn’t able to go, the WR room will be absolutely decimated. Hence, it’s key for the Rams to have Nacua. However, they also can’t risk him as he is arguably the best player on the roster.

Who would be the Rams WR1 vs Raiders if Nacua can’t go?

If Nacua is out, paired with the absence of Adams, it will be second-year wideout Konata Mumpfield taking the baton. The former seventh-round pick has been slightly featured this season, however, he also had a great match already.

In Week 3, with Nacua out due to injury, Mumpfield had a breakout performance where he had eight targets, four catches for 93 yards and one touchdown. Now, he might be poised to have the best stretch of his career if he has to be the No.1 wideout on the team.

The tight ends will feature heavily too

While their best tight end, Terrance Ferguson, is still on IR, the Rams also have guys like Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson who are very serviceable tight ends. They will feature heavily against the Raiders.

Kyren Williams is also a very good pass-catching running back. Hence, between tight ends and him, the passing game should see less explosive plays, and more progressive ones. Still, Mumpfield is there as a vertical threat.

Key takeaways

• Puka Nacua left Thursday’s practice with a calf injury, making his Week 7 status uncertain.
• Konata Mumpfield recorded 93 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 with Nacua injured.
• Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson remains on injured reserve heading into the Raiders game.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Rams head coach Sean McVay told the media that Davante Adams ruptured his hamstring and will be sidelined for 6-10 weeks. Hence, he will lose pretty much the rest of the regular season.

While the Rams had arguably the best duo of receivers in the NFL in Adams and Puka Nacua, without one of them, there’s a dropoff. Hence, the team, that is 2-4 despite being labeled as a preseason juggernaut, now has to overcome this massive obstacle.

Updated Rams WR depth chart

Without Adams, Puka Nacua will still be the WR1 of the Rams. However, this offense will need to find new ways to get into rhythm. Otherwise, the offense will suffer massively and that’s not good when you see the expectations on this team. This is the updated WR depth chart:

• Puka Nacua
• Jordan Whittington
• Konata Mumpfield
• Tutu Atwell
• Alex Bachman
• CJ Daniels

This goes back to the NFL Draft

The Rams had the 13th overall pick in the NFL Draft and they passed on wideout Makai Lemon to draft backup quarterback Ty Simpson. With 20/20 hindsight, this is looking like a huge mistake.

Key takeaways

• Davante Adams will miss 6-10 weeks after rupturing his hamstring, head coach Sean McVay announced.
• The Los Angeles Rams sit at a 2-4 start to the season following the injury.
• The Rams selected backup quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the draft.

Garrett’s absence has been a significant setback for a Rams defense that expected to rely on his pass-rushing ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. The team has also been unable to see the anticipated partnership between Garrett and Aaron Donald, a combination that could have created major problems for opposing offensive lines.

With Los Angeles struggling to keep pace in the NFC West, Garrett’s eventual return remains an important storyline. The Rams need their defense to find consistency while the veteran edge rusher works his way back from surgery, but his recovery timeline will determine when he can rejoin the lineup.

When will Myles Garrett return from injury?

Myles Garrett was placed on injured reserve following his knee procedure and already missed for games. So far, there’s no specific date for his return as the expected timeline was at least of six weeks.

His absence also affects how Los Angeles can generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Without Garrett, the Rams must look to other defensive linemen and pass rushers to create disruption, while the rest of the defense works to limit explosive plays. The challenge becomes even greater against division opponents, where every result can affect the NFC West race.

For the Rams, getting Garrett back healthy could provide a major boost during the second half of the season. His ability to win one-on-one matchups and disrupt passing plays makes him a valuable piece of the defensive plan, but the team will need to be patient as he recovers. Until he is cleared to return, Los Angeles must find a way to remain competitive without its injured star.

Key takeaways

• Myles Garrett is sidelined after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.
• The Rams placed Garrett on injured reserve after Week 1.
• Los Angeles needs its defensive star back as it fights to keep pace in the NFC West.

The first-round pick has been dealing with ankle issues throughout his rookie campaign, and the discomfort has continued to affect him in recent weeks. After playing against the Detroit Lions in Week 5, Love did not practice during the week leading up to the Rams game. The Cardinals ultimately decided that giving him time to recover was the best option.

Although his absence is a setback for Arizona, there is a positive update regarding the rookie’s status moving forward. Head coach Mike LaFleur said the team has not discussed placing Love on injured reserve, offering some encouragement that the organization is not currently preparing for an extended absence.

When will Jeremiyah Love return?

Matt LaFleur confirmed that Jeremiyah Love will miss the Week 6 matchup against Los Angeles, emphasizing the importance of allowing the running back’s ankle to heal.

The Cardinals are taking a cautious approach rather than risking further aggravation, especially given the importance of Love’s explosiveness and ability to make sharp cuts as a runner. “No. There’s no discussion of IR or anything like that. Got to really reevaluate his ankle injury. I mean, really every single day. Not enough right now to go.” For now, Arizona has not committed to a specific return date.

Cardinals RB depth chart

With Jeremiyah Love sidelined, veteran Tyler Allgeier is expected to take on a larger role, with Bam Knight also available in the backfield. The Cardinals will need their other running backs to contribute against the Rams while Love focuses on recovery. His status during the coming week will be worth monitoring, but the lack of injured reserve discussions provides a reason for optimism as Arizona looks ahead to its next game.

Key takeaways

• Jeremiyah Love is out against the Rams with an ankle injury.
• Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said there have been no discussions about placing Love on injured reserve.
• Arizona will reassess Love’s ankle as he works toward a potential return.

The NFL announced that Chubb will be fined $14,239 for taunting despite him not retaliating after getting punched by Rams’ left tackle Alaric Jackson. It might seem unfair, though Chubb himself admitted to be the one to start the interaction.

The Bills won a barnburner in overtime against the Rams, ending 37-34. It was a very heated game and after it all ended, then the altercation happened as other players were greeting each other.

Jackson’s fine is even bigger

While Chubb just taunted, Jackson did throw and connect a punch on Chubb. Jackson was suspended two games for his actions, though it was reduced to just one after an appeal. Still, missing that game alone will cost Jackson a whooping $934,555.

Hence, not only will he lose basically a million dollars, but the Rams will have to use another left tackle in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals. Someone else, probably David Quessenberry, will have to protect Matthew Stafford‘s blind side.

Bills vs Rams also left other fines

Following the league’s review of recent game actions, the NFL handed out financial penalties to multiple players. Buffalo Bills running back James Cook was hit with a $21,167 fine for the illegal use of his helmet.

Additionally, Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson received an $11,194 penalty for unnecessary roughness, while Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Braden Fiske was fined $11,941 for a facemask violation.

Key takeaways

• Bradley Chubb received a $14,239 fine for taunting following the Bills-Rams altercation.
• The Bills defeated the Rams 37-34 in an overtime win.
• Alaric Jackson lost $934,555 due to a one-game suspension after punching Chubb.

Discussing Garrett’s timeline on NFL Live, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport revealed where the Defensive Player of the Year stands in his recovery, when fans should expect to see him back in action, and whether he could return to practice this week.

“Speaking of the Rams, you saw these shots of Myles Garrett on the sideline last night,” Rapoport said. “Not on the field, on the sideline, still coming back after knee surgery. I was told it was a six-week-or-so recovery. That would put him back about Week 7, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts practicing at some point this week, but not quite ready yet for Myles.”

Garrett’s long-awaited return

While it is not a major update or drastically different from earlier reports, Week 7 appears to be the most logical target for Garrett to get back on the field. That week, the Rams face the Chargers at SoFi Stadium after hosting the Cardinals this upcoming weekend.

Garrett is arguably the best defensive player in the league when healthy, so his presence will make a massive difference for Los Angeles once he returns. With the Rams sitting at a disappointing 2-3 through five games, the hope is that his comeback arrives sooner rather than later.

With Garrett out, the Rams’ defense has still held up as one of the better units in the NFL, particularly against the pass. However, that has not directly translated into wins, as their 2-3 record highlights.

Fortunately, with Aaron Donald back and Garrett slated to return in a week or two, the squad still has a chance to parlay its star power into a strong second half of the 2026 NFL season.

Key takeaways

• A 34-37 loss to Buffalo was suffered by the Rams without Myles Garrett.
• A six-week recovery from knee surgery puts Myles Garrett on track for Week 7.
• The Los Angeles Chargers will face the Rams at SoFi Stadium in Week 7.

Cook fumbled twice during the 37-34 win over Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium. Even though the Rams recovered only one of the two fumbles—a costly one in overtime when the Bills were in field-goal range—head coach Joe Brady made it clear that the issue won’t go unnoticed.

If Cook doesn’t improve his ball security during the 2026 NFL season, there will be consequences. Even the team’s leading running back, who ranks third in the league in rushing yards, may not enjoy total job security. Brady didn’t sugarcoat his plans.

“It’s going to cost us football games. It almost cost us one. We can’t confuse because we won the game that that’s OK. It’s got to improve or the carries are going to decrease,” Joe Brady told reporters in Los Angeles a day after the game, according to ESPN.

Joe Brady acknowledges thing Cook is doing right

Obviously, one doesn’t become the third-leading rusher in the NFL through the first five weeks of the season and one of the league’s top running backs without earning his fair share of credit, and Cook is no exception. He’s made plays consistently and is almost unstoppable when at his best. That isn’t lost on Brady, no matter how upset Cook’s recent fumbling issues make him. Still, he urged the running back out of Georgia to get back on track.

“Look, he’s doing so many good things running the football. I don’t want to lose sight of how great he is running the ball right now. But putting the ball on the ground, it’s negating all the positive,” Brady concluded. “I have all the confidence in him. That’s why I put him right back out there. But obviously, at some point there has to be consequences to when we’re putting negative stuff out there.“

Cook’s stats

Through five games in the 2026 NFL season, Cook has rushed 95 times for 532 yards (third-most in the NFL), averaging 5.6 yards per carry and scoring five touchdowns. However, Cook has also fumbled four times in five weeks, including a multi-fumble outing in primetime against the Rams.

No player has fumbled more than Cook this season, and he’s the only RB among the top five in rushing yards to have more than one fumble. In fact, no other tailback in the top five has even lost a fumble.

Taken together, these numbers paint a clear picture of where Cook stands among the NFL’s elite running backs: he belongs in the room, but he’s still a few pegs below the top tier. If ball security remains a weakness, it could keep Cook from reaching his full potential and force Brady to share the workload with the rest of the RB room or even make a drastic change within it.

Bills’ RB depth chart

In addition to James Cook, the Bills’ running-back depth chart includes Ty Johnson and Ray Davis. Clearly, if Buffalo ever decides to move on from its former second-round pick in 2022, it would have to bring in a true HB1 to fill his shoes, as both current options are more sporadic contributors than reliable solutions in the backfield.

Key takeaways

• James Cook fumbled twice in the Buffalo Bills’ 37-34 overtime victory over the Rams.
• Bills head coach Joe Brady warned that James Cook’s touches could decrease due to fumbles.
• James Cook leads the NFL with four fumbles through five games in 2026.

“It cost us the game tonight,” McVay told reporters once the game concluded. From now on, the head coach will have to make decisions and carefully evaluate every step moving forward: “I’m gonna evaluate everything.”

The NFL season has flown by, and Week 6 is already approaching, meaning the margin for error must be addressed immediately. The Rams, once considered contenders, can no longer afford to let more opportunities slip away moving forward.

It wasn’t the kickers’ night for the Rams

The Los Angeles Rams’ kicking unit ultimately cost them the game against the Buffalo Bills, leaving critical points on the board throughout Monday night’s matchup. Kicker Harrison Mevis struggled heavily, missing two crucial field goal attempts on the night.

First, he pushed a 50-yard attempt wide in the first quarter. Then, with a chance to seal the victory in overtime, his potential game-winning 48-yard kick was blocked by Greg Rousseau. Combined with shaky kick coverage earlier in the game, these special teams blunders proved fatal for Los Angeles.

Mevis is already looking ahead

Harrison Mevis was one of the night’s biggest talking points, but not for the right reasons. The kicker had his field goal attempt blocked in overtime, yet his mindset remains stronger than ever: “I know who I am and I know how I’ll respond as a kicker. I have a next kick mentality.”

Key takeaways

• Sean McVay stated that missed field goals cost the Rams the game against the Bills.
• Kicker Harrison Mevis missed two crucial field goal attempts, including a 50-yard try in the first quarter.
• Greg Rousseau blocked a potential game-winning 48-yard field goal attempt by Harrison Mevis in overtime.

Colby Parkinson and Jaylen Watson are two other names on the list of players expected to take the field at SoFi Stadium. Having all their key pieces available is essential for the Rams to counter Josh Allen and the Bills.

Despite coming out of retirement after a few years away, Donald remains an indispensable pillar of the defense. The No. 99 is slowly regaining the form that made him one of the best players at his position.

Donald has already shown flashes of his former self

After stepping away from the game in March 2024, Aaron Donald shocked the league by officially coming out of retirement in late August 2026 to rejoin the Rams on a one-year deal. Because he missed all of training camp and preseason, Los Angeles has eased him back into the defense with heavy rotational usage rather than his traditional full-game workload.

Through his limited action in the early part of the 2026 campaign, the iconic defensive tackle has served as a situational pass-rusher and run stopper while slowly building back his game conditioning.

Donald’s recent injury concerns

Just as he was starting to build momentum in his 2026 comeback, Aaron Donald hit a quick bump in the road with a lower back injury. After experiencing flare-ups and muscle soreness leading into Week 4, the Rams held him out of practice and ruled him out against the Philadelphia Eagles as a precautionary measure to avoid any long-term setbacks.

The good news for L.A. is that the injury wasn’t severe—he returned to practice as a full participant ahead of Week 5 and expressed confidence about being back on the field.

Key takeaways

• Aaron Donald is expected to be available for the Rams after missing Week 4.
• Aaron Donald came out of retirement in late August 2026 on a one-year deal.
• Aaron Donald missed Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles due to a lower back injury.