Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is likely headed to injured reserve after suffering an MCL and PCL sprain in his right leg, along with turf toe, during Sunday’s win over the Washington Commanders.
Head coach Sean McVay told reporters on Monday that he has replayed the final play of the game in his head repeatedly, questioning whether a different call could have kept Nacua out of harm’s way.
“I’d be lying to you if I said I haven’t questioned the decision-making on that last play over and over in my head of what could have been another option that you felt like could have gotten a conversion, and maybe ended the game that would’ve led to him not taking a violent hit to his right knee,” McVay said, per ESPN.
“And so, it’s stuff that I feel tremendous responsibility for, and we’ve got to be able to figure out how to protect these guys while also putting them in positions that help our team and allow them to be able to shine.”
Nacua was handed the ball on third down as the Rams tried to run out the clock against Washington. He gained five yards but took a hard hit and stayed down on the field before eventually walking off under his own power.
McVay indicated Nacua will be out for a significant stretch. If he officially goes on injured reserve, he would miss the Rams’ next four games, against the Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.
The injury compounds an already thin receiving corps for Los Angeles. Davante Adams has been out since tearing his hamstring in Week 6 against the Cardinals. With both of their top receivers sidelined, McVay said the team would “look at all avenues,” including a possible trade before the Nov. 10 deadline at 4 p.m. ET, to bring in help for quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Nacua’s absence is a substantial blow to the offense. Stafford has relied heavily on him throughout the season, and even after missing Weeks 2 and 3 with a hip injury, Nacua has recorded 70 catches for 715 yards and four touchdowns — the most receptions by any player through their first seven games in NFL history.
The Rams sit at 5-4 after Week 9, a record below what many expected entering the season. Injuries up and down the roster, including to players like Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald and Jaylen Watson, have forced McVay and his staff to improvise. If the playoffs started today, Los Angeles would be on the outside looking in, and the team faces one of the league’s toughest remaining schedules.
For McVay, though, the Nacua injury is one he says he can’t shake off easily.
