The Los Angeles Rams enter their Week 10 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals facing a significant offensive adjustment. Puka Nacua is on injured reserve after suffering knee and toe injuries against Washington, leaving Matthew Stafford without the receiver who powered last Sunday’s passing attack.
Nacua caught 14 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown in the Rams’ 20-13 victory, drawing 19 targets. Replacing that involvement will require more than promoting one receiver. With Davante Adams and Jordan Whittington also on IR, Los Angeles must redistribute opportunities across a depleted group.
The encouraging news is Stafford’s availability. Despite appearing on the injury report with a right elbow issue, he practiced fully throughout the week and carries no game designation. The challenge now is finding reliable answers around him.
Tyler Higbee leads the options to replace Puka Nacua’s production
Tyler Higbee stands out as the main weapon to build around in Nacua’s absence, particularly on intermediate routes and crucial possession downs. His experience with Stafford makes him a logical candidate for additional attention, although that projection should not be mistaken for an announced target distribution.
Higbee’s own health briefly complicated that outlook. An illness kept him out Thursday before he returned for limited work Friday. He received no game designation, leaving him available for an offense that needs dependable receiving options.
The tight end group’s other injuries make his role especially important. Terrance Ferguson is out with ankle and hamstring injuries, while Davis Allen is questionable with an oblique issue. Colby Parkinson offers another available option after progressing to full participation Friday despite injured ribs.
Tutu Atwell can provide a different dimension outside. His ability to threaten downfield offers a way to discourage Arizona from crowding shorter routes. Stafford connected with him for a 40-yard gain against the Chargers in Week 8, demonstrating the explosive element available beyond the depleted starting group.
Konata Mumpfield also has an opportunity to earn a larger share of the passing game. He already produced a 48-yard touchdown reception against Denver earlier this season, giving Los Angeles another receiver with evidence of big-play potential. Consistency, rather than one explosive catch, becomes the next requirement.
CJ Daniels Jr., Xavier Smith and newly promoted Brennan Presley round out the available receiver group. The Rams placed Nacua on IR Thursday to create the roster opening for Presley; Nacua must miss at least four games, making this adjustment more than a one-week assignment.
Rams injury report includes key offensive and defensive questions
Beyond Nacua’s absence, Steve Avila is ruled out after missing every practice with a hamstring injury. Losing an offensive lineman adds another complication as the Rams reshape their passing attack, especially if Stafford needs extra time for unfamiliar combinations to develop.
Final Rams injury report vs. the Cardinals.
TE Davis Allen – Questionable
LS Joe Cardona – Questionable
EDGE Myles Garrett – Questionable
CB Trent McDuffie – Questionable
S Kam Curl – Questionable
LG Steve Avila – Out
TE Terrance Ferguson – Out pic.twitter.com/qq3OM1bhAg— Blaine Grisak (@BGMediaOnSI) November 13, 2026
Allen’s questionable designation follows limited practices Wednesday and Friday around a missed Thursday session. Long snapper Joe Cardona is also questionable after remaining limited throughout the week with an ankle injury.
Defensively, Myles Garrett carries a questionable designation for a knee issue and rest. He was limited Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out Friday. His availability matters after a three-sack performance against Washington helped Los Angeles secure its third consecutive victory.
Trent McDuffie and Kam Curl are questionable, too. Both returned for limited work Friday after two missed sessions, managing back and toe injuries, respectively.
Braden Fiske missed Friday with an ankle injury but received no game designation. Byron Young and Aaron Donald also sat out for rest without designations, distinguishing their absences from confirmed injury-related setbacks.