The Los Angeles Rams’ bye week came at a perfect time, as it provided an opportunity for two major contributors to get healthy without the team having to sacrifice a potential win. Superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua missed L.A.’s Week 7 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London while right tackle Rob Havenstein has been out since Week 5, both with ankle injuries.
The Rams were able to go 2-1 in the three games that Havenstein missed, while winning Nacua’s lone absence. It’s a great sign of the type of depth that the Rams have on their roster as they look to compete for a Super Bowl this season. But having their best players back in the lineup is always the preferred scenario.
And all signs are pointing towards the Rams having both Nacua and Havenstein back in the lineup when they take on the New Orleans Saints in their return from the bye on Sunday, via Wyatt Miller of TheRams.com:
Rams head coach Sean McVay said wide receiver Puka Nacua (ankle) and offensive lineman Rob Havenstein (ankle) are expected to return to practice on Wednesday. They should be “ready to go” for Sunday’s game against the Saints barring any setbacks.
The Rams getting Havenstein back will be hugely helpful for offensive line continuity. That’s an area the team has invested heavily in over the last two years, and Havenstein is part of that investment. Kyren Williams and Matthew Stafford will certainly be happy to have him back.
Nacua, though, is the real game-changer. The third-year wide receiver was off to a historic start to the season prior to suffering the ankle injury in Week 6. Through five weeks this season, Nacua had 52 catches for 588 yards and two touchdowns. He had 85 or more yards and eight or more catches in all five games.
Despite getting injured early in Week 6, missing Week 7 and having a bye week in Week 8, Nacua still ranks third in the NFL in receptions and fourth in receiving yards.
Puka Nacua’s absence could have been blessing in disguise for Rams
Given Puka Nacua’s production to start the season, a lot of people expected the Rams’ offense to crater without him. That was not the case though as L.A. had arguably its best offensive performance against Jacksonville.
Stafford completed passes to 10 difference receivers, including five touchdown passes with Davante Adams catching three and rookies Terrance Ferguson and Konata Mumpfield catching one each.
While a player like Nacua being out of the lineup is never ideal, Rams head coach Sean McVay explained how it actually could have been a blessing in disguise.
