No Puka Panic: Rams Expect Nacua Back at Practice Next Week

LOS ANGELES — The Rams just hit the panic button, but then immediately un-hit it. After Puka Nacua missed Thursday's practice with psoas (groin) soreness — an injury that forced him out of Tuesday's joint practice against the Cowboys — head coach Sean McVay is here to tell you: relax. The star wideout is expected to be back at practice next week.

"Puka's doing good," McVay said. "He just had a little soreness in his kind of psoas. So we're just being smart with him. Expect him to be back next week ready to go."

That's coach-speak for "no long-term concern, but we're not taking chances." Nacua spent Thursday working off to the side with a Rams trainer, which is about as encouraging as it gets for an injury that looked like it could be a problem in mid-August.

Myles Garrett: Slow and Steady

The Rams' marquee defensive addition, Myles Garrett, also worked off to the side during practice while managing knee soreness. McVay's update? "Feeling good."

"I think it's more along the lines of getting to know him, and once he gets back to that kind of return to performance," McVay said. "But making really good, positive strides. As far as when he'll be back, we want to make sure that that's when it's truly 100%."

On Tuesday, Garrett told McVay he feels "about 85%" healthy. The Rams are aiming to have him peaking when they open the season in Australia, and they're in no rush to force the issue.

Bottom line: The Rams' superstars are banged up, but nothing here screams disaster. Nacua should be catching passes again soon, and Garrett is on a slow and steady climb. Keep calm and trust the process.