# Puka Nacua's contract looms over injury absence

> Rams receiver Puka Nacua's injury absence may be linked to his contract insecurity.
- Title: Puka Nacua's contract looms over injury absence · NBC Sports
- Summary: Rams receiver Puka Nacua's injury absence may be linked to his contract insecurity. Puka Nacua's potential second game absence due to groin injury is tied to…
- Keywords: puka nacua, seahawks, ram, nfl, groin injury, contract security, rookie deal, sports, Puka, Nacua's, contract, looms
- Source: NBC Sports — https://nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/puka-nacuas-contract-looms-over-his-injury-absence
- Published: 2026-09-27T16:07:37.606+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: puka nacua, seahawks, ram, nfl, groin injury, contract security, rookie deal, sports
## Puka Nacua's injury absence
Rams receiver Puka Nacua potentially misses second straight game due to groin injury.

> As Rams receiver Puka Nacua potentially misses a second straight game due to a groin injury, questions linger regarding when he will return.
## Contract insecurity
Nacua makes $5.767 million in final year of rookie deal with no second contract.

> Nacua is making $5.767 million in the final year of his rookie deal.
## Comparison with Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed second deal at $42.15 million per year.

> Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who arrived in the NFL the same year as Nacua, has gotten his second deal, at $42.15 million per year.
## Contract delay impact
Nacua's off-field issues delayed his contract but he lacks financial security beyond this year.

> Yes, Nacua’s contract has been delayed by his off-field issues. But with no financial security beyond this year, Nacua surely doesn’t want to risk aggravating the injury and missing even more time.
## Functional play status
Nacua 'functionally' can play but lacks explosiveness due to injury.

> Nacua 'could return as soon as next week,' but that the groin issue has 'impacted his explosiveness.'
## Contract security impact
Nacua likely would play if he had second deal and contract security.

> Here’s the bottom line, Nacua quite possibly would be playing if he had his second deal and the security that goes along with it.
## Key takeaway

Puka Nacua's potential second game absence due to groin injury is tied to his lack of contract security in the final year of his rookie deal.