Patience Is the Play: Rams Refuse to Rush Nacua, Garrett Back to Practice

The Los Angeles Rams are playing the long game, and that means two of their biggest stars are watching practice from the sideline.

Head coach Sean McVay made it crystal clear Saturday: neither wide receiver Puka Nacua nor defensive end Myles Garrett is being rushed back onto the practice field. Nacua is still dealing with lower back soreness after leaving Tuesday's joint practice with the Cowboys, and Garrett is managing swelling in his knee. Both are expected to be sidelined until next week, with McVay preaching caution over urgency.

'A return to performance, not just return to play'

"Anytime you're talking about a soft tissue, especially with a skill player or a knee with a guy that does some of the things that Myles is doing, we're going to err on the side of caution," McVay said. "While not minimizing how important it is to get those guys out there."

Nacua's issue was clarified Thursday as soreness in his psoas — the muscle connecting the lower spine to the thigh bone. McVay originally expected him back this week, but now "next week" seems more realistic. Garrett, meanwhile, worked out to the side with a Rams trainer, but the team is in no rush to push him.

"We want to make sure that it's a return to performance, not just return to play," McVay added.

Donald watch continues

And yes, the Aaron Donald saga is still simmering. The retired defensive tackle worked out at the team facility again — listed as a "tryout" on the NFL transaction report — and McVay called it part of "his process" to decide whether he wants to make a comeback.

"It allows us to be able to use football equipment, and it's very similar to what the other workout was," McVay said. "He's continuing to go through his process."

The Rams open the season Sept. 10 against the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia. Getting their stars healthy — and keeping them that way — is clearly the priority before that trip Down Under.