Puka Nacua is utilizing organized group actions to hone his craft and put together for his third NFL season.
However the Rams’ star receiver additionally lately took time to assist others put together to keep away from potential well being challenges.
Nacua final week returned from a visit to Samoa, the place he and his mom joined medical professionals from Utah Valley College to offer testing, clinics and training about diabetes.
Nacua mentioned his father, who died when Nacua was a teen, skilled issues from the illness.
So the chance to journey along with his mom to his maternal grandmother’s village was “kind of a full-circle moment” for his household, Nacua mentioned Tuesday.
“To be able to go and improve the situation in the homeland was something sweet,” Nacua mentioned after the group went via a exercise.
Nacua, who missed the Rams’ first on-field exercise due to the journey, gave the impression to be at full energy Tuesday, with no proof of the knee damage he fought via final season.
Nacua is a part of a remade Rams receiver corps that’s anticipated to raise the offense for a group thought to be a Tremendous Bowl contender.
The Rams launched veteran Cooper Kupp, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks, and changed him with three-time All-Professional Davante Adams. In addition they re-signed Tutu Atwell to a one-year, $10-million contract. Second-year professional Jordan Whittington and rookie Konata Mumpfield are also competing for roles.
“It definitely is a little bit different,” Nacua mentioned of Kupp’s absence from the receivers’ assembly room. “The spot he used to sit in, I think, it’s definitely occupied by somebody now, so everybody’s getting used to it.”
However Nacua mentioned Adams, who was absent Tuesday, has are available and offered management.
“Somebody who’s played at a super high level his whole career — and the knowledge he has is something different from what we’re used to, having Coop in the system a long time,” Nacua mentioned. “It’s been great to have him around and I feel like I’m learning something new every day.”
Nacua, 24, proved a fast examine after the Rams chosen him within the fifth spherical of the 2023 draft out of Brigham Younger.
With Kupp sidelined initially of the season due to damage, Nacua turned quarterback Matthew Stafford’s major goal. Nacua loved a record-setting season, catching 105 passes for 1,486 yards and 6 touchdowns. He was a finalist for the NFL offensive rookie of the yr.
Throughout coaching camp earlier than final season, Nacua suffered a knee damage throughout a joint exercise with the Chargers. He then aggravated the difficulty within the opener in opposition to the Detroit Lions, and was sidelined for 5 video games. He nonetheless caught 79 passes for 990 yards and three touchdowns for a Rams group that completed with a 10-7 file and superior to the divisional spherical of the NFC playoffs earlier than dropping to the eventual Tremendous Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur mentioned Nacua was “continuing to work on his craft,” throughout organized group actions.
“He’s naturally just a leader,” LaFleur mentioned. “Just the way he goes about it.”
In just a few weeks, Nacua will play a outstanding function for the Rams after they journey to Maui for a minicamp that may conclude voluntary offseason exercises. Nacua, who is also of Hawaiian descent, is anticipated to be warmly embraced by the locals throughout some actions that will likely be open to the general public.
“I’m excited,” he mentioned. “I can’t wait for everybody to come out there and have some shaved ice. I’m sure they’ll be waiting for us.”
And so on.
The Rams have 4 coaches working with them throughout organized group actions as a part of the NFL’s Invoice Walsh Range Teaching fellowship program. The coaches are Taylor Embree (tight ends), Chris Marve (defensive backs), Va’a Niumatalolo (outdoors linebackers) and Greg Stewart (offensive line).
