Puka Nacua Sets 52-Catch Five-Game Record

Puka Nacua extended a historic start, becoming the fastest player to reach 50 receptions and setting the NFL record with 52 catches through a team’s first five games while also surpassing 3,000 career receiving yards, tied as the second-fastest to do so. He caught 10 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown on Thursday Night Football, but the Rams fell 26-23 in overtime to the San Francisco 49ers after a late Kyren Williams fumble and a stalled fourth-down attempt, with Eddy Pineiro drilling the OT field goal. San Francisco was led by backup Mac Jones (342 yards, two TDs) and Kendrick Bourne (142 yards), while Matthew Stafford threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns in the loss. Nacua entered the game on a tear—he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after a 13-catch, 170-yard performance in Week 4 and came into Week 5 with 42 catches for 503 yards—placing him on pace for record-breaking season totals. The third-year, fifth-round pick out of BYU has rapidly emerged as one of the NFL’s brightest young receivers, though the Rams dropped to 3-2 despite his production.