If you’ve spent any time on sports Twitter or refreshing your fantasy app lately, you’ve probably felt that familiar pit in your stomach: is Puka Nacua hurt? It’s the question that defines the Rams' season. Every time he hits the turf hard—which is basically every third play—fans hold their breath.
He plays with a kind of reckless abandon that makes coaches cringe and fans cheer. But right now, heading into a massive Divisional Round clash against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, the "Questionable" tag is the most searched word in Los Angeles.
Honestly, the guy is a magnet for contact.
The current injury status of Puka Nacua
The short answer is: he’s playing. But "healthy" is a relative term in the NFL, especially in January. As of the latest injury report released on Friday, January 16, 2026, Puka Nacua does not carry a game status designation for Sunday’s game.
This is huge.
Earlier in the week, there were whispers. People saw him moving a bit gingerly after the Wild Card win over the Carolina Panthers. In that game, he was targeted 18 times. You read that right. 18 targets. He caught 10 of them for 111 yards and a touchdown, but he also took a beating from a Panthers secondary that was clearly trying to send a message.
Earlier this season, things were way more dicey. Remember October? He missed time with a legitimate ankle sprain suffered against the Ravens. Then there was the Week 10 scare with his ribs against the 49ers. He’s been a frequent flyer on the injury report all year, dealing with:
- A persistent left ankle sprain that lingered for a month.
- Rib soreness that reportedly made it hard for him to even breathe during the mid-season stretch.
- A chest evaluation in early November after a defender basically used him as a landing pad.
Despite all that, he finished the regular season with 129 catches and over 1,700 yards. He’s tough. He’s "football player" tough.
Why everyone is panicking about Puka right now
The panic isn't just about his bones and ligaments. It’s about the workload.
Since Davante Adams went down with a hamstring issue in Week 15, Matthew Stafford has basically treated Nacua like his only child. In the final three games of the regular season, Puka hauled in 27 passes. That’s a massive volume for a guy who has already missed time this year with a PCL injury in the preseason and multiple ankle tweaks.
There was also a weird moment in December against the Lions where he had to be helped to the locker room. People thought it was a season-ender. Turns out? Just a "brutal cramp." But that’s the Puka experience. He makes every play look like a car crash, which is why the search for "is Puka Nacua hurt" spikes every Sunday at 4:00 PM.
Breaking down the Bears matchup
Chicago’s defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen, hasn't been shy about the challenge. He told reporters this week that it will take an "exceptional effort" to slow down Nacua and Adams.
The weather at Soldier Field is going to be brutal. We’re talking classic Chicago winter. For a guy who has been battling ankle and rib issues, cold weather is the enemy. It makes every hit sting more. It makes the ground feel like concrete.
If you're looking for evidence of how he's feeling, look at his practice participation. He was a full participant by Thursday. That tells you everything you need to know. Sean McVay doesn't play games with his stars—if Puka were actually "hurt" in a way that limited his effectiveness, he’d be limited in practice.
The "Controversy" factor
Wait, there's more. It’s not just physical. Puka’s been in the headlines for some social media rants lately regarding NFL officiating. Some analysts, like the crew over at Ramblin' Fan, have suggested the Rams are seeing a spike in penalties because of it.
Whether or not the refs are actually "hunting" him is up for debate. What isn't up for debate is that Puka is playing with a massive chip on his shoulder. He’s frustrated, he’s banged up, and he’s still producing at an All-Pro level.
What to expect on Sunday
Don't expect him to be a decoy. That’s not how the Rams use him.
Stafford is going to feed him early. The Bears have a physical secondary, and they will try to test that ankle. If he can get through the first quarter without a limp, the Rams are in a great spot. If he goes to the sideline after a diving catch? You’ll see that injury search volume skyrocket again.
Actionable insights for fans and managers
If you're following this for your playoff fantasy league or just out of pure Rams fandom, here’s the bottom line:
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- Trust the Friday Report: In 2026, the NFL is stricter than ever on injury reporting. No designation means he's a full go.
- Watch the Tape: Look at his release off the line in the first drive. If he’s exploding into his routes, the ankle is fine. If he’s "rounding" his cuts, he’s still hurting.
- Volume is King: As long as Stafford is the QB, Nacua’s floor is 8-10 targets. That doesn't change unless he's literally on crutches.
Keep an eye on the pre-game warmups at Soldier Field. Sometimes the cold affects these lingering soft-tissue injuries right as the players try to get loose. But as of this second, Puka Nacua is ready to roll.
Check the active/inactive list exactly 90 minutes before kickoff to be 100% sure there wasn't a freak pre-game slip.