Puka Nacua Steals the Show in Cooper Kupp's Absence
Despite being just two years removed from a Super Bowl win, preseason projections weren't terribly kind to the Los Angeles Rams this year.
The news that star wide receiver Cooper Kupp would be going on injured reserve with a hamstring injury to start the season made those hopes sink even lower for the Rams' chances of success this season.
Then came Sunday's regular-season opener, on the road against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. Despite Kupp's absence, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 334 yards as the Rams shocked Seattle with a 30-13 victory.
The main beneficiary of Kupp not being present was rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua, who led the Rams with 10 receptions for 119 yards.
A fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of BYU, Nacua quickly established himself as Stafford's favorite option in the passing game, leading the team by far with a whopping 15 targets. No other receiver had more than eight.
The Rams are still hopeful Kupp will be able to return sooner than later, but the emergence of Nacua (as well as third-year receiver Tutu Atwell, who had 119 yards on six catches Sunday) should hold them over in the meantime.
