Cooper Kupp Details Los Angeles Rams' Receiver Puka Nacua's Communication

The Los Angeles Rams boast two star receivers in veteran Cooper Kupp and rookie Puka Nacua. The former spoke about Nacua's unique communication skills.

One of the most important storylines of the NFL season has been the rise of Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua. The rookie was critical in keeping Los Angeles’ offense afloat while Cooper Kupp nursed a hamstring injury.

Now, they’re on the field and wreaking havoc together. Their skill sets complement each other well, and the past two weeks have helped dampen concerns about Kupp’s prominence in the slot forcing Nacua out of a role. The two, alongside receiver Tutu Atwell, could be the most formidable receiving corps in football.

In the two games since Kupp returned, Nacua has been targeted 18 times for 11 catches, 97 yards, and a score. Kupp has been his ever-impressive self, too, posting over 115 yards and seven catches in both games.

Kupp and Nacua during a preseason game against the Denver Broncos / Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Kupp has spoken about the things that make Nacua so successful and have an immediate impact, but he took the time to focus on Nacua’s unique style of communication on Thursday.

“How does he talk? I can't talk how he talks,” Kupp said. “He's got a good switch when it's game day. He's got a good switch and Tutu likes to say he talks in grunts on game day and I think that's pretty good analysis of it.”

The BYU product may not be the most vocal teammate when he’s on the field, but he’s definitely memorable. Most of the conversations take place on the sideline, but even that can be difficult to tap into, says Kupp.

“When he gets to the sidelines, he takes probably 10 seconds to just stand there stoically and not say anything like he's in a different world,” Kupp said. “So you just kind of got to wait for him to get out of that place and then he kind of comes back to earth.”

Kupp attributes this idiosyncrasy to Nacua having a “switch” to him that he activates when he’s between the numbers. He doesn’t need to be the soft, easy interview he seems to be after games, and his role isn’t predicated on him being a vocal leader. So he locks in and, so far, dominates. He lets his play do the talking, which in itself is a form of leadership.

Both Kupp and Nacua will look to light up the scoreboard against a perennially well-coached Pittsburgh Steelers defense on Sunday.