Why Puka Nacua isn't playing for Rams vs. Giants with injury news

The Los Angeles Rams are already behind the eight ball to start the 2026 NFL season, after a heavy defeat to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia.

They are looking to right the ship in Week 2 but have a difficult task as they welcome an improved New York Giants team to SoFi Stadium for a primetime Monday Night Football matchup.

The task was already difficult given their opponent's impressive Week 1 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, in which they look strong in John Harbaugh's debut at the helm, but it's now even more daunting given their star wide receiver will miss tonight's game.

The Sporting News brings you the latest on Puka Nacua's status for the primetime matchup, and why he has not taken the field.

LIVE: Follow Aaron Donald's return to the field in Rams vs. Giants

Why isn't Puka Nacua playing?

Puka Nacua has been listed as inactive by the Rams for their Week 2 match against the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium on Monday night.

The star wide receiver tested his injury on the field before the game, but decided he wasn't healthy enough to participate.

The move wasn't unexpected, since there were reports that his status for the game was trending down, but still made headlines as it had not yet been confirmed until inactives were released ahead of kickoff.

Puka Nacua, currently listed as questionable, warms up at SoFi Stadium ahead of Rams-Giants pic.twitter.com/mPthUXgLjx

What's Puka Nacua's injury?

Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua officially has a hip/groin injury.

After Thursday's practice, Rams head coach Sean McVey said that Nacua "didn't feel totally like himself." He then appeared on the injury report for the first time Friday, sitting out the team's second practice of the week.

He also did not participate in Saturday's practice and was officially listed as questionable for the game.

The issue is especially concerning given the Rams had additional time off between their Week 1 and Week 2 games, having flown back from their season opener in Australia.