​Puka Nacua drew attention to himself and a Los Angeles Rams teammate on Thursday. GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 27: Puka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams signs autographs for fans during the Los Angeles Rams Training Camp at Loyola Marymount University on July 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) GettyA tense moment at Tuesday’s joint practice ended with a more reassuring development for the Los Angeles Rams.Puka Nacua left the session with the Dallas Cowboys before practice ended, walking off the field with a trainer. Head coach Sean McVay didn’t have many details immediately afterward, saying Nacua was “not able to finish practice.”NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport later reported Tuesday night that Nacua is dealing with “minor soreness” in his groin and that the Rams are simply exercising caution with their star receiver.#Rams WR Puka Nacua, who left practice while walking with a trainer, is dealing with minor soreness in his groin, I’m told. The team is just being cautious.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 11, 2026Los Angeles doesn’t have a good excuse to push one of its most important players through an August practice issue with the regular season still weeks away.Nacua’s Groin Soreness Considered MinorGettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 27: Puka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams signs autographs for fans during the Los Angeles Rams Training Camp at Loyola Marymount University on July 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)The early exit initially created some uncertainty because McVay did not know the specifics when he spoke to reporters after practice.“Puka left early on in the practice. I’m not exactly sure what was going on with him,” McVay said.The update from Rapoport suggested a no-to-worry occurence.Before leaving, Nacua appeared to be having a productive afternoon against Dallas. The Rams’ practice report said Nacua and Davante Adams “ruled the day” in the short passing game, with Matthew Stafford finding the two receivers on slants, curls and out routes. McVay also praised the receivers who stepped in once Nacua departed.The priority throughout August, though, is getting Los Angeles’ main stars ready for Week 1 rather than squeezing additional work that can exacerbate soreness into something worse.The Rams open their preseason Saturday on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs.Rams Have Grounds to Be Cautious With Nacua Nacua has quickly become one of the league’s most productive receivers, so leaving the field with a trainer likely causes Rams’ fans to hold their breath.He put together his best season yet in 2025, recording an NFL-leading 129 receptions for 1,715 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns.The performance earned him unanimous AP First-Team All-Pro honors, with Nacua receiving all 50 first-place votes. He averaged 107.2 receiving yards per game and tied for the league lead with 80 first-down receptions.He al