Rams Receiver Nacua Faces Month-Long Layoff: MCL and PCL Sprains Complicate Schedule
Coach Sean McVay anticipates placing Puka Nacua on injured reserve after Sunday's game, forcing the Rams to evaluate options ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline.
By Lauren Foster ·
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay indicated on Monday that wide receiver Puka Nacua will likely be placed on injured reserve. The decision follows injuries to Nacua's right knee, specifically sprains to the medial collateral ligament and posterior cruciate ligament, along with a turf toe injury. McVay stated the team expects the receiver to miss at least one month of action.
The injuries occurred during the final offensive play of Sunday's 20-13 victory over the Washington Commanders. Nacua carried the ball on a third-down conversion attempt, gaining five yards before sustaining a hard hit. He remained on the field briefly before walking off under his own power. On that specific play, Nacua recorded five rushing yards, but his 14 receptions, 150 receiving yards, and one touchdown defined the game. Quarterback Matthew Stafford targeted him 19 times in the contest.
The Rams have already been without wide receiver Davante Adams since a hamstring injury in Week 6. Nacua previously missed Weeks 2 and 3 due to a hip injury. In the seven games he has played this season, Nacua has accumulated 70 catches for 715 yards and four touchdowns. His 70 receptions mark the highest total for a player in the first seven games of a season in NFL history. Since Week 4, he leads the league in both receptions and receiving yards.
McVay expressed personal regret regarding the decision to run the ball with Nacua late in the game while the Rams held a lead. He described questioning the play selection repeatedly, noting the responsibility to protect players while still putting them in positions to succeed. The coach said he felt tremendous responsibility for the play design that led to the violent hit on Nacua's right knee.
If Nacua is placed on injured reserve as expected, he will miss the upcoming games against the Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, and San Francisco 49ers. The Rams, currently 5-4, face the toughest remaining strength of schedule in the NFL according to analytics data.
McVay said the injury has influenced the team's approach to the trade deadline occurring Tuesday. Although he had previously indicated the Rams would not be active, he now said the team is looking at all avenues to address the roster situation. He stated he would never rule out moving in the market given the daily changes and the specific scenarios the team is navigating.
