Puka Nacua makes stunning reveal about Maxx Crosby matchup

Puka Nacua wasn’t about to let another injury keep him off the football field. Not with the Rams’ season hanging in the balance.

The star wide receiver revealed Thursday that he knew something was wrong with his calf during the final portion of practice last week, three days before Los Angeles traveled to Las Vegas for a must-win matchup against the Raiders.

“Toward the end of practice on Thursday, just running around and just felt like something wasn’t right,” Nacua said. “So we were able to get some images and then try to put together a game plan so I could get out there on Sunday.”

Despite already battling hip and groin injuries earlier this season, Nacua refused to let another setback derail him.

“I try to play this game with no fear,” Nacua said.

That mentality was put to the test Sunday when Nacua found himself with one of the toughest blocking assignments imaginable: Raiders superstar defensive end Maxx Crosby.

On a running play, Nacua was tasked with blocking Crosby, a four-time Pro Bowler who has made a living overpowering offensive linemen twice the size of most receivers.

Nacua didn’t back down from the challenge, even with a troublesome calf. But afterward, he had no problem admitting who won their heavyweight mismatch.

“Me and Maxx met there, and I think Maxx won the battle, but I felt pretty confident I showed a good effort there,” Nacua said. “But Maxx Crosby is an elite player in this league for a reason.”

For Nacua, the confrontation represented everything he loves about football: the physicality, the competition and the opportunity to test himself against the best, even when the odds aren’t particularly favorable.

Nacua still helped the Rams secure a desperately needed 35-21 victory, hauling in an 11-yard touchdown reception from Matthew Stafford as Los Angeles snapped its two-game losing streak. 

The receiver revealed that his recovery now includes daily treatment, adjustments to his insoles and additional work with the team’s training staff.

Nacua said doctors haven’t indicated that his calf injury is directly related to his previous hip problems, although he acknowledged the importance of preventing compensation elsewhere in his lower body.

For a Rams team already decimated by injuries, keeping Nacua healthy might be as important as anything Sean McVay draws up on his play sheet during the games.

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