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Rams Suffer Massive Blow Before Cardinals Game

The Los Angeles Rams will be without a massive name when they battle the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2.

Donnie Druin

Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images / Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
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ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals play host the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2 - though a notable star will be missing.

The Rams saw breakout receiver Puka Nacua go down with an injury during their Sunday Night Football loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 1, and now he'll be heading to injured reserve, causing him to miss the next four weeks according to Rams head coach Sean McVay.

The injury came in the first half for Nacua and though he tried to return, he eventually was sent to the locker room. Los Angeles lost the game in overtime and Nacua finished with four receptions and 35 yards.

Nacua and Cooper Kupp formed one of the strongest 1-2 WR punches in the league for Rams QB Matthew Stafford to target, though Los Angeles will be without a big portion of that production when they visit State Farm Stadium on Sunday.

Nacua - a fifth-round pick in 2023 - burst on the scene last season with 1,486 yards on 105 receptions and six touchdowns.

He earned Pro Bowl honors for his productive first season.

The Cardinals did a fairly strong job on Nacua during their two meetings against the Rams last season, limiting him to four catches in each contest for a combined 53 yards and no touchdowns.

However, Los Angeles did defeat Arizona in both matchups to sweep the Cardinals in 2023.

Playing the Rams is never easy, though the job of Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis did just get a bit easier this week.

Make sure to bookmark Cardinals On SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more.

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Donnie Druin

DONNIE DRUIN

Donnie Druin is the Publisher for All Cardinals and Inside The Suns. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with Fan Nation since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!

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