BYU Professional Athletes

Two BYU alumni stepped into the spotlight during Week 5 and 6 of the NFL season — one with a record-breaking performance that still wasn't enough to win, the other inheriting a starting job at exactly the right time.

Puka Nacua Puts Up a Monster, Rams Still Fall

Puka Nacua delivered arguably the most eye-catching individual performance of any BYU alumnus in recent memory on Monday Night Football — and walked away with a loss to show for it.

The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver caught a career-high 17 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown in a 37-34 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills, a performance that earned him top PFF marks among all Rams skill players. The numbers were dazzling. The result was not.

Nacua didn't hide his frustration afterward. Speaking candidly to reporters, he said the team needs to "look in the mirror and say what our identity will be" — a pointed message following a 2-3 start that has cooled early-season Super Bowl optimism around Los Angeles. The Rams put up big offensive numbers against the Bills, but special teams and situational football were the undoing of Sean McVay's squad in overtime.

Nacua's 17-catch game was the headliner, but it underscored a deeper tension: individual brilliance isn't translating to wins for a Rams team that expected to compete at the top of the NFC.

Allgeier Steps Into the Cardinals' Backfield

With Arizona's Jeremiyah Love ruled out for Week 6 due to an ankle injury, Tyler Allgeier is set to inherit the starting running back role — and with it, the kind of opportunity that rarely comes twice in a season.

The former BYU standout has been patiently waiting in the backfield, and Love's absence figures to mean a significant uptick in carries and touches. Fantasy analysts at Sports Illustrated have already flagged Allgeier as a must-start, citing the potential for "colossal volume" in his first crack at a full workload.

In Week 5, Allgeier managed just 7 rushing yards and 9 receiving yards in a 45-21 blowout loss to the Detroit Lions — a performance that reflected the chaos of the game rather than his ceiling. Week 6 is a different situation entirely.

Around the League

Fred Warner continues to be one of the NFL's premier linebackers for the San Francisco 49ers. The BYU product forced a fumble on Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson in San Francisco's 32-29 victory on October 11 — a turnover that helped swing the game in the 49ers' favor. Warner also offered public praise for teammate Mike Evans this week, calling his consistency "unreal."

Kingsley Suamataia, the Chiefs' offensive tackle, returned from injury following Kansas City's bye week, according to coach Andy Reid. The BYU product had missed time after going down in Week 4, but his return is a boost for a Chiefs offensive line already navigating the absence of left tackle Josh Simmons.

Taysom Hill, who spent years as one of the Saints' most versatile weapons after his BYU career, made an appearance on ESPN's College GameDay on October 17 — a nod to both his alma mater's big weekend and his status as one of the more unconventional NFL careers in recent history.

BYU's NFL footprint spans roster spots across the league, but this week, the Cougars' alumni story ran through Nacua's brilliant, bittersweet Monday night and Allgeier's shot at proving he belongs as a featured back.

Puka Nacua Reminds Everyone Why He Matters

The Rams trailed the Eagles by 10 at halftime in Philadelphia. By the final whistle, they had a 24-20 comeback win — and Puka Nacua had erased any lingering questions about his health.

In his return from injury, the BYU alum was everywhere Sunday, hauling in 9 receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown to anchor the Rams' rally at Lincoln Financial Field. Head coach Sean McVay was effusive in the aftermath, drawing a "unique comparison" for his No. 1 receiver, per Heavy Sports. Nacua himself provided a positive injury update postgame, though the celebratory mood carried a caveat: Sports Illustrated reported that multiple doctors have raised concerns about his re-injury risk and the possibility that a setback could eventually require surgery.

There's also a potential league matter on the horizon. Heavy Sports reported that the NFL may look into a blindside block involving Nacua during the game, which could result in a fine or discipline.

For now, though, Rams fans will take the performance — and the win.

Suamataia Benched, Reid Silent

Out in Kansas City, the Chiefs got a Week 4 win over the Raiders, but the story wasn't on the field — it was on the sideline. Kingsley Suamataia, the BYU offensive lineman who had played well earlier this season, was abruptly benched before the game and replaced by veteran Mike Caliendo at left guard.

Andy Reid offered little clarity. The Chiefs head coach described it only as a coaching decision and remained tight-lipped afterward, per Sports Illustrated. Heavy Sports reported that insiders believe the benching was disciplinary in nature. Caliendo struggled in pass protection during the game, which underscores how much the Chiefs were giving up by sitting Suamataia — and raises the stakes for what comes next for the young lineman.

Brooks Heads to IR in Green Bay

Chris Brooks won't be getting any more carries for the Packers for a while. Green Bay placed the BYU running back on injured reserve with an ankle injury, making him eligible to return no earlier than Week 9 against the Patriots, per Yahoo Sports.

The timing stings. Brooks had been carving out a role in Green Bay's backfield, recording 30 rushing yards and a reception in the Packers' Week 4 win over Tampa Bay — his last action before the IR designation. With Josh Jacobs also sidelined indefinitely, the Packers' backfield depth is thin enough that Green Bay promoted Pierre Strong Jr. from the practice squad and has reportedly been urged by analysts to pursue a trade for additional help before the deadline.

Fred Warner and the 49ers Keep Rolling

On the other side of the country, BYU linebacker Fred Warner and the San Francisco 49ers stayed unbeaten with a 24-14 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 4. Warner called out doubters postgame, per Bleacher Report, as the 49ers continue to assert themselves as legitimate contenders despite an aging core and early-season injuries to key players. Warner remains a centerpiece of a defense that has yet to lose this year.

BYU alumni had a busy week across the NFL, with Puka Nacua returning from injury, Fred Warner drawing league discipline despite a winning record, and Kyle Van Noy finding a new home in Minnesota.

Puka Nacua cleared for Eagles showdown — with caveats

The biggest BYU storyline of the week belonged to Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, who was cleared to play in Los Angeles' Week 4 road game against the Philadelphia Eagles after missing Week 3 with a groin injury. The return came with an asterisk: reports indicated Nacua may not play a full snap count as the Rams ease him back into action, and surgery had remained on the table as recently as mid-week if his condition failed to improve.

The Rams entered the game at 1-2 after blowing a 16-point halftime lead in Denver the week prior, making Nacua's presence all the more critical — even on a pitch count. Philadelphia was already short-handed, with DeVonta Smith (hamstring), Zack Baun (concussion), and Dallas Goedert (knee) all ruled out. The Eagles' injury wave made Nacua's return even more significant for a Rams offense desperate to get right.

Britain Covey, who grew up near the Nacua family in Provo and later shared a receiver room with Puka in Los Angeles before returning to Philadelphia, described the BYU product as a "cheat code" for the Rams' offense — underscoring just how much his absence had been felt.

Fred Warner fined after 49ers stay unbeaten

San Francisco linebacker Fred Warner kept the 49ers perfect at 3-0 with a Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals — but the victory came with a personal financial hit. On October 3, the NFL announced its Week 3 fines, and Warner appeared on the list stemming from two plays during the game. The nature of the violations was flagged by the league in its standard post-week discipline cycle. Warner's performance on the field remains a cornerstone of San Francisco's defense, but the fine serves as a reminder that playing on the edge of the rulebook carries real costs.

Kyle Van Noy resurfaces with the Vikings

After the Vikings' Week 3 win over Tampa Bay, Minnesota made several roster moves — and veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy was part of the shuffle, landing with the team following a roster shake-up. Van Noy, a multi-time Super Bowl champion, recorded a sack in the Vikings' 23-16 victory over the Buccaneers on September 27. The addition leaves Minnesota with a layered decision to make regarding his roster status going forward, with the team weighing how Van Noy fits against the depth already on hand. Fellow BYU alum Tyler Batty is also on Minnesota's roster at linebacker, giving the Cougars a notable presence on the Vikings' defense.

Around the rest of the BYU diaspora

Tyler Allgeier had a quiet day for Arizona in a 36-30 loss to San Francisco, logging minus-one rushing yard on the ground but contributing four receptions for 10 receiving yards. Khyiris Tonga was part of a Chiefs defense that held Miami to 10 points in a 24-10 Kansas City win. Ryan Rehkow punted for Cincinnati in a 30-27 loss to Pittsburgh.

The week was a reminder of just how broadly BYU talent is distributed across the league — from playoff contenders in San Francisco and Kansas City to rebuilding rosters in Arizona and Cincinnati.

The Nacua Problem

Puka Nacua was supposed to be spending the 2026 season making the case for a life-changing second contract. Instead, the BYU product is watching from the sideline, his rookie deal ticking down while a hip injury keeps him off the field for the Los Angeles Rams.

Nacua was ruled out for Week 2 against the Giants and listed as doubtful for Week 3 against the Broncos — the Rams ultimately announcing he would not suit up in Denver either, marking at least two consecutive missed games. Head coach Sean McVay has offered cautious optimism about a potential Week 4 return against Philadelphia, but the Eagles, who face the Bears in Week 3, were already receiving injury updates on Nacua as they prepared their game plan for the Rams — a sign that Los Angeles cannot hide his absence from anyone.

The on-field cost has been real. In Week 2, without Nacua, the Rams leaned heavily on newly acquired veteran Davante Adams, who combined with Matthew Stafford for a historic performance in a blowout win over the Giants. The offense survived — even thrived — but the longer Nacua sits, the more the narrative shifts from "when he comes back" to "what does this mean for his future."

That question has already drawn outside scrutiny. Former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho publicly warned that Nacua is actively hurting his contract case by missing time in a walk year, the precise stretch of games where a player needs to be seen, productive, and indispensable. The Rams, meanwhile, have been exploring contingency options at receiver and leaning on tight end Terrance Ferguson to absorb additional targets in the short term. A potential trade for a pass-catcher has also surfaced in reports, underscoring how seriously the front office is taking the void.

Nacua did appear in a workout video during the week, drawing attention as a signal that he's pushing to return — but the Rams have been measured in their public timeline, and the hip/groin nature of the injury has complicated practice participation.

Around the BYU Alumni Map

While Nacua's situation dominated the headlines, a handful of other Cougars logged quiet contributions across the league during the week.

Chris Brooks continued to find work in the Green Bay backfield, adding 11 rushing yards and a 15-yard reception in the Packers' narrow 20-17 win over the Jets in Week 2, then chipping in a reception for four yards in a Thursday loss to Atlanta in Week 3. Tyler Allgeier carried the ball for 10 yards and caught two passes for nine more in Arizona's Week 2 loss to Seattle — modest production for a Cardinals team that was outclassed 31-7.

Fred Warner played in San Francisco's dominant 35-13 win over Miami, a result that keeps the 49ers rolling — though no individual stat line was available for the All-Pro linebacker. Kyle Van Noy was in uniform for Minnesota's 9-3 defensive grind over Chicago, and Ryan Rehkow handled punting duties as Cincinnati topped Houston 20-6.

The week belonged, for better or worse, entirely to Nacua's absence. If he returns healthy for the Eagles game, the contract-year clock can restart in earnest. If not, the questions will only grow louder.