twitter, reporters, etc. — SF game

Rams’ Puka Nacua breaks rookie records for receiving yards, catches

By Jourdan Rodrigue

https://theathletic.com/5184707/2024/01/07/puka-nacua-nfl-rookie-receiving-record/

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – With a 7-yard catch in the third quarter of Sunday’s Week 18 matchup, Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua broke the NFL rookie receiving yards record long held by former Houston Oilers receiver Bill Groman.

Groman’s initial high mark of 1,473 yards has stood since 1960, and he achieved it in 13 games in the 14-game season.

A catch one play later meant that Nacua also broke the rookie record for receptions, held by Jaylen Waddle (2021). Nacua was then substituted out of the game.

“As much as it will say ‘Puka Nacua’, I wish it could say all 11 guys out there (on the record),” said Nacua after the game. “It really takes all 11. They should all feel that award just as much as I am.”

Nacua will end his rookie season with new high marks of 105 catches and 1,486 yards.

A fifth-round draft pick out of Brigham Young, Nacua has recorded over 100 yards in seven games this season, tying the rookie record set by Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014 and matched by Justin Jefferson in 2020 (both first-round draft picks). With receiver Cooper Kupp recovering from a hamstring injury to start the 2023 season, Nacua burst onto the NFL scene. His 59 catches in his first eight games set an NFL record for all players. Entering the Week 18 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Nacua ranked No. 4 in receiving yards (1,445) and No. 8 in catches (101).

The Rams sat several starters Sunday because they are assured a playoff spot next week. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, Kupp, running back Kyren Williams, defensive tackle Aaron Donald and inside linebacker Ernest Jones all were out. Tight end Tyler Higbee (shoulder) and offensive lineman Joe Noteboom (foot) also didn’t play due to injuries. The 49ers also elected to rest starting quarterback Brock Purdy ahead of their playoff stretch.

The Rams beat the 49ers 21-20.

Carson Wentz, whom the Rams signed during their Week 10 bye, started for them on Sunday.

Wednesday, Wentz said “we’ll do our best” to get Nacua the record, adding, “he’s a stud. Puka’s been a stud. Seeing it from afar, but then coming in here and seeing it up close and personal … I don’t know if he really knows how good he is. He’s still a kid, but I think the sky’s the limit for him and it’s cool that he’s getting the recognition that he is and hopefully he can get that record.”

But it took a little more time than players and coaches anticipated, because of how the game unfolded. Nacua had a 19-yard touchdown catch in the first half, leaving him a yard short at that point of passing Groman’s record. The Rams offense would usually kneel out a second-quarter clock with just 11 seconds remaining in the first half, but Wentz tried to push the ball down the field likely because the Rams wanted to be cautious about Nacua’s playing time in the second half.

“‘Don’t do anything dumb,’” Wentz said, laughing, when asked what was going through his mind at that point.

Rams coach Sean McVay also said Wednesday that the team would be “smart with” Nacua although they wanted to give him the opportunity to “do something special.”

Nacua’s consecutive catches in the third quarter ultimately broke both records.

There’s another interesting layer to Nacua’s milestone. Some senior members of the Rams’ scouting department, plus general manager Les Snead, once worked with Groman after his playing days in Atlanta.

Snead and senior personnel executives Brian Xanders and Taylor Morton learned from Groman in the Falcons scouting department and Morton ultimately was promoted to Southwest area scout upon Groman’s retirement in 2003. Groman was deeply admired by the three younger scouts.

Twenty years later, Snead, Morton and Xanders were among those with the Rams who scouted and drafted the player who broke Groman’s record.