Los Angeles defensive end Aaron Donald has been ruled out of Sunday’s matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles due to a sore back, while wide receiver Puka Nacua is expected to return following a two-game absence caused by hip and groin injuries.
Donald did not participate in any practices throughout the week, and head coach Sean McVay officially placed him on the injury report as out on Friday. The three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year has registered four tackles, one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hit across two games since ending his two-season retirement.
Donald had initially missed the Rams’ Week 1 game in Australia after signing a contract extension for the 2026 season at the end of August, but he went on to play in the following two games against the Giants and Broncos.
Puka Nacua has only played in the season opener in Australia, where he had five receptions on nine targets in a loss. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)
Nacua recorded five receptions for 74 yards in the season opener against the 49ers but missed contests against New York and Denver after injuring himself during practice on Sept. 17.
“Just in some of the change of direction stuff, some of the stuff in my hip area just was not feeling great,” Nacua said. “It was causing me some pain and some restriction in some of my movements.”
The Rams (1-2) have also ruled out tight end Terrance Ferguson (ankle) and cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder), while tight end Colby Parkinson (knee/shoulder) remains questionable.
McVay also indicated that practice squad wide receiver Alex Bachman will likely be promoted to the active roster to contribute on special teams, following the Friday waiver of return specialist Xavier Smith.
On the other side of the field, the Eagles could be without wide receiver DeVonta Smith on Sunday, according to ESPN. Smith has been sidelined during practices this week with a hamstring injury, and sources tell ESPN that the expectation is he will miss the Week 4 matchup.
Smith participated in the first three weeks of the season, with his standout performance coming in a Week 2 victory against the Titans, where he posted 117 receiving yards on 10 receptions while adding his lone touchdown of the year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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