No Puka, No Problem: How Will the Rams Play without Their Star Receiver?
The Los Angeles Rams are set to play their first international game of the season this Sunday at Wembley Stadium in London, but will unfortunately be doing it without one of their biggest weapons. Wide receiver Puka Nacua has officially been ruled out after suffering an ankle sprain in last week’s win against the Ravens, leaving a major hole in a Rams offense that he is at the center of. Nacua is currently ranked third in the NFL in receiving yards with 616 and has quickly become Matthew Stafford’s primary target since entering the league. With his absence, the offense will have to rely on its other offensive playmakers to step up and help fill that production.
The pressure now shifts to the newest addition to the Rams offense in Davante Adams, who is ranked 12th in the league with 396 receiving yards. Adams has been consistent so far this season, something the Rams expected, as he’s shown his veteran experience and ability to shake off defenders every week. However, with Puka being out, the Jaguars’ defense would likely focus heavily on Adams, using double coverage to take him out of plays, and force Stafford to pivot. This means other players will have to step up and capitalize on those opportunities to keep the offensive production balanced.
One of those players is wide receiver Tutu Atwell, who could play a much bigger role in this game and has shown that he can be trusted in this offense. His speed and ability to stretch the field can help open up space for others and give Stafford another deep-ball option. This could also be a chance for Atwell to show that he can handle a larger workload and keep the Jaguars’ defense on their heels. Tyler Higbee will also be an important piece to the passing game, especially in short-yardage and red-zone situations, where Stafford has looked to him in the past, as he showed in last week's game.
The Rams’ running backs will also be essential in carrying this offensive workload. Kyren Williams, for the most part, has been one of the most consistent players on the team and should help control the tempo through the ground game. Blake Corum has also shown glimpses of what he can do with the ball in his hands and should also see more touches on Sunday. Both players will need to contribute not only in the running game but potentially as receiving options out of the backfield to keep Sean McVay's offense unpredictable and take pressure off Stafford.
Without Nacua, the Rams' offense may look different, but it could also create growth opportunities. Stafford will get to build more chemistry with newcomer Adams and develop rhythm with other players to keep the offense moving. This game will serve as a real test of how well the Rams can adapt without one of their top playmakers and how much their other offensive weapons can deliver. If the rest of the offense shows up, they can make this London matchup a memorable one and continue to next week.
