Puka Nacua's contract looms over his injury absence
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Rams receiver Puka Nacua is likely to miss a second consecutive game due to a groin injury that has affected his explosiveness on the field.
- Nacua is in the final year of his rookie contract worth $5.767 million, while his peer Jaxon Smith-Njigba recently secured a second deal worth $42.15 million annually, highlighting a significant pay gap.
- The absence of a new contract may be influencing Nacua's cautious approach to returning, as he aims to avoid aggravating the injury and preserve his performance level to secure a lucrative future deal.
- The Rams do not currently believe surgery is necessary for Nacua’s groin injury, but it remains a possibility, and the injury is genuine rather than a strategic holdout.
- Nacua could return as soon as next week, but his performance may be impacted by his current physical limitations and the pressure to maintain his explosiveness during this contract year.
