The Los Angeles Rams’ injury problems got worse on Thursday when Puka Nacua left practice early with a calf injury. Nacua was listed as limited on the team’s report, and his status for Sunday’s game at the Las Vegas Raiders is unclear. Elsewhere, Lamar Jackson was limited for a second straight day, Saquon Barkley was limited in his return to practice, and Jordan Love and Justin Jefferson were both full participants.
- Rams: WR Puka Nacua (calf) limited after leaving practice early; CB Trent McDuffie (groin) and LB Nate Landman (concussion) did not practice
- Ravens: QB Lamar Jackson (ankle) limited for a second day; S Jaylinn Hawkins downgraded to did not practice
- Eagles: RB Saquon Barkley (hamstring) limited; WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring), TE Dallas Goedert (knee) and OLB Nolan Smith (concussion) did not practice
- Packers: QB Jordan Love (back) upgraded to full
- Vikings: WR Justin Jefferson (ankle) upgraded to full
- Chiefs: WR Rashee Rice and T Jaylon Moore did not practice; TE Travis Kelce limited
- 49ers: DE Nick Bosa (calf) and WR Mike Evans (Achilles) not seen at practice; WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring) did not practice
- Broncos: CB Pat Surtain II and WR Jaylen Waddle limited again
Puka Nacua leaves practice with a calf injury
Nacua left Thursday’s session before it ended, and the Rams later listed him as limited with a calf injury. Nate Atkins said the team should have a better idea of his chances on Friday morning, when Sean McVay speaks to reporters.
The timing is bad for a 2-4 team that has already lost Davante Adams to a ruptured hamstring, Poona Ford for the season and Kobie Turner to injured reserve. Cornerback Trent McDuffie (groin) and linebacker Nate Landman (concussion) missed a second straight practice, which puts their availability against the Raiders in doubt as well.
Friday update: Nacua is questionable and will test his calf before the game
Nacua did not practice on Friday and is questionable for Sunday’s game at the Las Vegas Raiders. Sean McVay said Nacua stopped practicing on Thursday because he felt he could not “have some of the power and full explosion” with his calf, and that the receiver will work out before the game. Cornerback Trent McDuffie is also questionable and linebacker Nate Landman is out.
Lamar Jackson ended the week questionable as well. Friday’s final injury reports are here.
Lamar Jackson limited again
Jackson took part in every drill during the portion of practice open to reporters, but the Ravens still listed him as limited for the second day in a row. Jamison Hensley said it looked like Jackson did more on Thursday than on Wednesday. Receiver Rashod Bateman, guards Vega Ioane and John Simpson and tight end Matthew Hibner were all upgraded to full, while safety Jaylinn Hawkins (knee) was downgraded to did not practice. Baltimore has 15 players on its report before Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, who list only three.
Saquon Barkley: “Monday’s still a long ways away”
Barkley was limited in his first practice since he hurt his hamstring in Week 4. He said afterward that he had never dealt with a hamstring injury before and that he will listen to the medical staff. “Monday’s still a long ways away, just going to listen and trust the trainers…and hopefully continue to get better each day,” Barkley said.
Barkley admitted he had wanted to play last week. “It sounded great in my head, then you sit and say ‘Maybe they were right,'” he said, adding: “I’d love to be out there.” The Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night with 24 players on their report. Receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring), tight end Dallas Goedert (knee), outside linebacker Nolan Smith (concussion), defensive back Michael Carter (abdomen), receiver Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) and guard Willie Lampkin (illness) did not practice. Guard Landon Dickerson, center Drew Kendall and outside linebackers Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt and AJ Epenesa were among those limited.
Jordan Love and Justin Jefferson are full
Love, who said on Wednesday there was “no chance” his sore back would keep him out, was upgraded to a full participant for the Green Bay Packers before Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. Paul Bretl noted that Zaire Franklin (shin) and Lukas Van Ness (illness) were added to the report as limited.
In Minnesota, Jefferson was upgraded to full after being limited on Wednesday with an ankle injury, a good sign for the Vikings’ game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts again practiced without tight end Tyler Warren (groin).
Chiefs, 49ers and Broncos
The Kansas City Chiefs said Rashee Rice and tackle Jaylon Moore did not practice, while Travis Kelce, Cooper McDonald, L’Jarius Sneed and Brashard Smith were limited. The Chiefs play at the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night, after Josh Simmons went on injured reserve.
In San Francisco, Nick Bosa was not seen on the field as practice began, Matt Maiocco noted. Bosa has not practiced since September 24, when he hurt his calf during his warmup. Mike Evans, who is dealing with Achilles tendinitis, was also absent, and Deebo Samuel (hamstring) did not practice before Sunday’s game at the Atlanta Falcons.
Denver’s report was the same as Wednesday’s except for Zach Allen, who went from limited to full on a rest day. Pat Surtain II and Jaylen Waddle were limited again, and Nick Kosmider said Friday will show whether either can get to full before the game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Around the league
- Texans: RB David Montgomery (groin) did not practice again
- Jets: RB Breece Hall (quadriceps) upgraded to limited
- Buccaneers: WR Emeka Egbuka (concussion/foot) did not practice; QB Baker Mayfield (thumb) full
- Raiders: TE Brock Bowers (hamstring/calf) upgraded to full
- Cowboys: WR George Pickens (shoulder) limited; CB Cobie Durant full
What comes next
Most teams will practice once more on Friday and give their game designations for Sunday. McVay’s update on Nacua, Barkley’s status for Monday night, and whether Jackson can get to full for the Bengals game are the biggest questions.
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