By admin 
Puka Nacua and the Los Angeles Rams struggled out the gate to begin the 2026 NFL season, falling to 0-1 after a 27-7 loss to Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (Melbourne, Australia). The Rams are coming off a 12-5 finish in the 2025 season, ending with a loss in the NFC Championship Game.
Read more Rams DE Myles Garrett Announces Unfortunate News After Loss to 49ers
Going into the Thursday night matchup, Nacua had recorded 63 receiving plays of 20 or more yards throughout his first three NFL seasons, which fell just short of the most in the league since the wide receiver’s 2023 NFL season. Minnesota Vikings star wideout Justin Jefferson had recorded the most during that timeframe, tallying 65 career receiving plays of 20+ yards.
With 1:31 remaining in the first quarter of Rams vs. 49ers, LA quarterback Matthew Stafford hit Nacua deep for a 41-yard gain, setting up a touchdown run by running back Kyren Williams. This marked the wide receiver’s 34th receiving play of 20+ yards.
Nacua also added a 23-yard catch on a deep pass from Stafford midway through the third quarter, but the drive ultimately ended in a turnover on downs. With the play, Nacua has now tied Jefferson at 35 career receiving plays with 20+ yards since the LA star’s rookie year in 2023.
Still, Jefferson has yet to play his first game of the 2026 NFL season with his new quarterback, Kyler Murray, as the Vikings host Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon. The former LSU wide receiver also has three years on Nacua, recording 324 receptions for 4,825 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns from his rookie season in 2020 through his third season in 2022, while averaging 15.0 yards per reception.
Read more Red Bull Rampage Will Return To Its Original 2001 Venue, Here’s How To Watch
Nacua, during his first three seasons, totaled 308 catches for 4,117 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging just over 13 yards per reception. And against the 49ers, he tallied five catches for 74 yards, adding to his career totals.
“Puka Nacua has 65 career receiving plays of 20 or more yards (including two today), tied for the most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2023 (Justin Jefferson),” Los Angeles Rams PR wrote on X.
Puka Nacua has 65 career receiving plays of 20 or more yards (including two today), tied for the most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2023 (Justin Jefferson).#Rams | #RamsHousepic.twitter.com/nOvww6ixVp
Read more Cardinals, amid 2006 title celebration, open series vs. White Sox
— Los Angeles Rams PR (@TheLARamsPR) September 11, 2026
Up next for the Rams, a matchup against the New York Giants on Sept. 21.
Related: NFL to Make Punishment Decision After Brock Purdy Incident
Copyright 2026 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published September 11, 2026 at 3:18 AM.