Fans couldn’t have asked for a better Monday Night Football matchup as the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills delivered a thriller at SoFi Stadium.
Although Josh Allen and the Bills came out on top with a 37-34 overtime victory, the Rams kept the game close and forced overtime in the final seconds of regulation. One of the biggest stars of the night was Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua.
The 25-year-old star stole the show with a career-high 17 receptions for 138 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown. One play that stood out came in the final seconds of the second quarter, just before halftime.
However, his aggressive effort on that play raised concerns that it could have aggravated his “pre-hernia” condition.
Doctor Sounds Alarm on Puka Nacua’s Risky Play Style
The chemistry between Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and Nacua was on full display throughout the night. The star receiver was targeted 24 times during the game.
On the final play of the first half, with the Rams trailing 13-7, Stafford launched a 49-yard pass across his body from midfield toward the end zone.
Despite being covered by Bills defenders, Nacua managed to break free and make a full-extension, Superman-style dive toward the end zone.
The pass fell incomplete, but it caught the attention of sports doctor and injury analyst Jeff Mueller. Given Nacua’s condition, Mueller questioned whether the receiver should have put himself at risk with such an aggressive attempt.
“Not exactly what I want to see Puka Nacua doing at full speed, knowing that he has a ‘pre-hernia.’ He seemed okay walking off the field, though afterward,” Mueller wrote.
There were concerns about Nacua’s condition heading into the game, but Rams head coach Sean McVay clarified in September that the receiver did not have a full hernia.
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A “pre-hernia” can affect the abdominal wall or surrounding groin area, potentially causing pain and discomfort during strenuous physical activity.
Given Nacua’s aggressive style and history of injuries that have cost him playing time, there are concerns about the strain such plays could place on the area.
Nacua currently ranks No. 34 in the league with a PFN WR Impact Score of 75.5.
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After the game, Stafford explained why Nacua received so many targets compared to his teammates.
“They were giving us looks where Puka could exploit the space, and when he’s in a rhythm like that, you just keep feeding him,” Stafford told reporters.
“He makes the tough, contested catches look routine. I just hate that we couldn’t reward a night like that from him with a win,” the Rams’ quarterback added.
The Rams will host the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6, with kickoff scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 18.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.