Nacua Sits. Adams and Smith Get the Work.

Puka Nacua is out for Week 3 with the groin injury that's kept him on the report since before Monday night, and the Rams are moving forward without him. Davante Adams and Xavier Smith will absorb the bulk of what Nacua would have seen from Stafford, with the team targeting a Week 4 return for their top receiver.

Adams is the obvious anchor here. He caught 15 touchdowns in 2025 and has been in this league long enough to handle an expanded role without much adjustment. Smith is the quieter piece — he was efficient last season when the ball came his way, and this is the kind of spot where that gets tested. Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell are also available and figure to see more snaps than usual.

The Rams have enough weapons that this shouldn't crater the offense for one game. Kyren Williams remains active and is a genuine receiving threat out of the backfield, and Colby Parkinson — listed as questionable — could factor in at tight end if he's cleared. The concern isn't Week 3. It's whether a groin injury that's already lingered this long stays on schedule for Week 4.