The Los Angeles Rams could be without Puka Nacua for at least one game after he sustained an ankle injury in the team’s Week 6 win over the Baltimore Ravens. And while head coach Sean McVay touted some potential replacements for Nacua’s game, it’ll be impossible to replicate what the star pass-catcher has done for L.A. this season.
So rather than try to find a one-for-one replacement at receiver, ESPN’s Mina Kimes has a different idea: Play more two-tight ends sets and get 2025 second-round rookie Terrance Ferguson involved in the offense more.
“They should consider leaning more into 12 personnel,” Kimes said. “I called a preseason game, and you saw how explosive [Terrance Ferguson] was. He might be the most explosive option they’ve got at the tight end position.
“And I do wonder, if you’re Sean McVay, instead of just trying to just replicate what you did with Nacua, if you consider changing the nature of what you do in the passing attack to get more players involved.”
Ferguson has just one catch this season — a nice 21-yard reception in Week 5 — despite being the No. 46 overall pick by the Rams this year out of Oregon. His offensive snap shares have gone up precipitously over the past few weeks, though, from four total in Weeks 2 and 5 to 17 (32.1%) in Week 6.
If there was ever a time to get the rookie more involved, it would be now. But considering McVay explicitly mentioned other receivers like Jordan Whittington and seventh-round rookie Konata Mumpfield, it seems as though the Rams will stick with their gameplay and continue to bring Ferguson along slowly.