The Los Angeles Rams (2-4, 1-1) have not started the season as well as they would have hoped. They have lost five of their last seven games and currently sit in last place in the NFC West.
However, the Rams have some positive news to focus on before facing the Minnesota Vikings (5-1, 1-1) on Thursday Night Football.
Los Angeles is coming off its second victory of the season, a 20-15 win over the Las Vegas Raiders this past Sunday. Running back Kyren Williams was a bright spot for the Rams, scoring the only two offensive touchdowns of the game.
Williams finished the contest with 76 rushing yards on 21 carries and was the leading rusher and scorer for the Rams. This was much needed from LA’s offense, which was struggling under Matthew Stafford, who could not find a receiver in the endzone for the third game this season.
While this may be frustrating for Rams fans, Stafford has played most of the season without his two-star wide receivers, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, who have not seen the field since weeks two and one, respectively.
Kupp recorded just one of three passing touchdowns that Stafford had thrown all season in Week 1 against Detroit before suffering an ankle sprain in Week 2 against Arizona. However, Kupp is expected to play for just his third game of this season tonight against the Vikings.
The Rams received more positive news today, as Nacua has officially been activated off IR and is expected to play tonight against Minnesota. Nacua has not played since Week 1.
The #Rams have made it official, activating star WR Puka Nacua from Injured Reserve and he’ll play tonight against the #Vikings. pic.twitter.com/EEVpWjhXqs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 24, 2024
In 2023, Nacua recorded 105 receptions for 1486 yards and six touchdowns in just his rookie year. He was expected to have a standout sophomore season; however, an injury sidelined him for six weeks, handicapping Stafford and leading to the Rams' subpar record.
With Kupp and Nacua returning to the field tonight, will Stafford and the Rams recover from their slump and capture their second and first straight victory with Los Angeles’ star receivers on the gridiron?
