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Donald Out, Nacua Back as Rams Face Eagles
Confirmed
In Short: Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald will miss Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles due to a back injury, while wide receiver Puka Nacua is set to return.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald will not play in Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles due to a back injury, head coach Sean McVay announced Friday.
Donald, a three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year, has played in only two games this season due to his recent return from a two-year retirement.
Wide receiver Puka Nacua, who has been dealing with a hip injury, is expected to return to the lineup after missing the past two games.
Nacua, who had five receptions for 74 yards in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, said he felt sharp during Thursday's practice.
Coach McVay noted that while Nacua will not have an injury designation, how much he will play is still to be determined.
The Rams also ruled out tight end Terrance Ferguson (ankle) and cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder), while tight end Colby Parkinson (knee/shoulder) is questionable.
Donald, who signed a deal for the 2026 season at the end of August, has played 56% of the defensive snaps in the two games he has played this season.
The Rams will face the Eagles in Philadelphia for the second consecutive season, looking to avenge last year's loss.
What this adds
Donald's absence is a significant blow to the Rams' defense, as he is one of the most dominant players in the NFL.
Nacua's return could provide a much-needed boost to the Rams' offense, which struggled to score in the red zone against the Broncos last week.
Background
Aaron Donald returned from a two-year retirement to help the Rams defeat the Giants 28-6 on Monday Night Football.
What's confirmed
- Head coach Sean McVay said Donald felt soreness in his back after the team's Week 3 loss to the Denver Broncos.
- McVay said that while Nacua will not have an injury designation, how much he will play is still to be determined.
- The Rams also ruled out tight end Terrance Ferguson (ankle) and cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder), while tight end Colby Parkinson (knee/shoulder) is questionable.
- The Rams will get wide receiver Puka Nacua back from a hip injury after he missed the past two games.
What's still developing
- Donald unretired this offseason, returning to play for his former team after initially retiring in 2023.
- When Donald is healthy, he is an offense's worst nightmare.
- Nacua has shown his dominance early, with two 1,000+ yard seasons in his four-year career.
- Nacua has been dealing with the injury since Sept. 17 when he noticed during practice that he felt some pain when trying to change direction on the field.
- "Just in some of the change of direction stuff, some of the stuff in my hip area just was not feeling great," Nacua said.
- Donald missed the Rams' Week 1 game in Australia after signing a deal for the 2026 season at the end of August, but then played in the next two matchups against the Giants and Broncos.
- Steelers On the other side of the field, the Eagles might be without wide receiver DeVonta Smith on Sunday, per ESPN.
- Offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, defensive coordinator Chris Shula and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone all walked though adjustments their respective groups will be making heading into Week 4 as wide receiver Puka Nacua explained how he's feeling returning to practice this week.
- Los Angeles came up just short against the Eagles last year and against the Broncos last week, as they look to avenge both of those losses in Week 4.
- Head coach Sean McVay talked about the familiarity with a coach on the other side, as quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Davante Adams gave their thoughts on the Eagles defense and areas for improvement after last week.
- Watch them discuss key Philadelphia Eagles players ahead of Week 4, veteran leadership, tight end talent, and more.
- Early on in his days coaching the Rams, he had a young Mannion as his quarterback on the roster who was drafted to the Rams in 2015 and was coached by McVay in the 2017 and 2018 seasons.