Injuries are piling up for the slow-starting Rams, but Puka Nacua could return this week

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Rams’ list of injuries grew in their 30-26 loss to the Broncos on Sunday night, with cornerback Jaylen Watson and tight end Terrance Ferguson likely to be sidelined this weekend against the Eagles.

Watson dislocated his shoulder, but coach Sean McVay does not expect him to go on injured reserve. Ferguson sprained the medial ligament in his ankle, while tight end Colby Parkinson’s status is uncertain after spraining the AC joint in his shoulder.

Those injuries all contributed to a blown 16-point lead at Denver as Los Angeles dropped to 1-2. Not having Watson deprived the defense of its most physical cover cornerback, while the absence of two tight ends further limited the offense, which was already without top wide receiver Puka Nacua for the second straight week.

McVay expressed optimism Nacua could return this week after missing two games because of a hip and groin injury.

“It sounds like he had a good workout before the game,” McVay said.

The absence of Nacua as both a receiver and run blocker was felt in the red zone, where the offense scored one touchdown in four opportunities. Not having him made the Rams more reliant on their three-tight end packages coming into the game, and the injuries to Ferguson and Parkinson mandated further adjustments.

The loss of Watson, who signed a three-year contract worth up to $51 million in March, tested the Rams’ depth in the secondary. Josh Wallace was called for a controversial pass-interference penalty that negated his interception and extended the Broncos’ game-winning drive.

“There was a lot of opportunities that we had to be able to close the door on that game,” McVay said Monday. “And I was proud of the way that our group competed, the way that we kept responding. There were certainly some things that we can learn from.”

The connection between quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Davante Adams flourished for the second straight game without Nacua. Adams caught seven passes for 137 yards despite being covered by arguably the NFL's cornerback in Patrick Surtain II. Tight end Tyler Higbee and wide receiver Konata Mumpfield also stepped up to help offset Nacua's absence.

Despite an effective performance from running back Kyren Williams, Stafford threw the ball 55 times. McVay went away from the run in the first half, and it led to drives stalling out when the Rams could have taken a commanding lead. In the second half, that lack of balance started with a three-and-out on Los Angeles’ opening possession and put Denver in position to start regaining momentum.

Williams showed his well-rounded game by rushing for 88 yards on 15 carries and catching six passes for 70 yards, in addition to his contributions in pass protection. It was his second straight game averaging better than 5 yards per carry, showing Williams is still the lead back ahead of Blake Corum.

After the Rams spent the offseason trying to address the special teams breakdowns that cost them the top seed in the NFC and a trip to the Super Bowl, some alarming issues popped up. A 28-yard punt return kick-started Denver's first touchdown drive. Then, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was called for unsportsmanlike conduct to negate a punt that would have backed the Broncos up. Denver gained 39 yards of field position on the rekick.

McVay did not provide an updated timeline on star defensive end Myles Garrett's return from knee surgery. Garrett is not eligible to be activated from injured reserve until at least Week 6 against the Cardinals.

20,279 — Stafford's yardage total in six seasons with the Rams, which makes him the first quarterback in league history to throw for 20,000 yards with two teams. He had 45,109 yards in 12 seasons with the Lions.

The Rams visit the Eagles on Sunday. They blew a 19-point lead at Philadelphia last season, losing 33-26 in a game marred by several gaffes in the kicking game.

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Denver Broncos' Kolbe Katsis, top left, is hit by Los Angeles Rams' Shaun Dolac, center, and Tyler Higbee, bottom, while returning a punt during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson reacts after going down against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson leaves the field on a cart during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paused when asked what he learned about himself and his game over the summer.

“I didn’t learn anything I didn’t already know,” he said. “I feel like I got better this summer, for sure.”

That's great news for the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that won the NBA title in 2025 and lost a Game 7 to the San Antonio Spurs in last season's Western Conference finals. Gilgeous-Alexander — bidding for a third straight MVP award — and the Thunder are widely expected to be top contenders for a title again this season.

But it is a new-look Thunder in many ways, after the team traded starter Lu Dort and key reserves Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to shed salary.

“Obviously we’re a really close, tight-knit group, and those guys had a big hand in not only our success on the court but the relationships and the brotherhood off the court," Gilgeous-Alexander said. “And that will never change. Those guys will only be one call away from me and vice versa. But with that being said, it’s the business of the NBA, right. I don’t think anybody has played with all 12 guys their whole career. That’s how it goes.”

Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.1 points last season and could become the first player in four decades to win three consecutive MVP awards. Larry Bird (1984-1986) was the last player to do it; Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain are the only other members of the three-in-a-row club.

Gilgeous-Alexander said he hasn't given much thought to winning another award.

“The decision for MVP is like literally 82 games away,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I’m not going to win the award in the first week of the season. It hard for me to, like, put so much into it and think about it. I’ve just got to be the best player I can be for this basketball team, win as many games as possible. And whenever those things lie, they will. That kind of recipe for me in the past has kind of worked, and I’ve been fortunate to win two in a row.”

There is an addition of sorts: Jalen Williams, an All-Star two seasons ago, is back after missing more than half of last season with injuries.

“We’ll have an All-NBA talent who puts the ball in the basket and guards 1 through 5. So, that will make life easier not only for myself but for the rest of the group,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “And above all, I’m just excited for Dub to be able to play.”

Forward Chet Holmgren averaged career-highs of 17.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, making All-NBA and All-Defensive teams for the first time. Jared McCain, Ajay Mitchell and Cason Wallace are all expected to take on larger roles this season.

“Fundamentally, we are still the Oklahoma City Thunder,” guard Alex Caruso said. “To the root of it, I think we want to try and be the same team, we just have to fit new pieces in and figure out what that looks like. Still have a lot of returning guys. It’s not like we lost our three top scorers or something. ... We want to be the same kind of team and have the same principles and play the same way.”

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From left, Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, head coach Mark Daigneault, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren pose for photos during the NBA basketball team's media day Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gives an interview during the NBA basketball team's media day Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)