Make California Post a Preferred Source The Los Angeles Rams survived the Washington Commanders on Sunday to secure their third straight win and move above .500 for the first time this season, but their victory may have come at a devastating cost.
Star wide receiver Puka Nacua is expected to miss several weeks after an MRI on Monday revealed an MCL, PCL sprain in his right knee, Rams head coach Sean McVay announced.
McVay also said Nacua had turf toe and will likely go on injured reserve.
“At least a month,” McVay said pressed for a timeline on Nacua’s potential return.
For a team already running dangerously low on offensive weapons, losing Nacua could be the injury that finally breaks the Rams’ backs.
The injury occurred on the Rams’ final offensive play of Sunday’s 20-13 victory.
Facing third-and-11 while attempting to drain the clock, Nacua took a jet-sweep handoff and raced toward the right sideline before Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves delivered a low tackle around his right knee.
Here’s video of Puka after the game with a brace on his right knee https://t.co/6NQAC13P1n
Nacua remained on the turf momentarily before limping off the field where he was looked at by team trainers. He was later spotted wearing a brace on his right knee as he walked off the field after the game.
Despite the injury, Nacua appeared upbeat during his postgame interview and never mentioned the apparent setback.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter subsequently reported that Nacua would undergo an MRI after returning to Los Angeles.
The injury overshadowed another spectacular performance from Stafford’s favorite target, who was targeted 19 times and hauled in 14 receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown. He also added 20 rushing yards on two carries.
Those numbers illustrate just how indispensable Nacua has become.
With Davante Adams already sidelined by a ruptured hamstring and tight end Terrance Ferguson expected to miss several weeks after suffering a hamstring injury Friday, Matthew Stafford is rapidly running out of reliable pass catchers.
Now, with the NFL trade deadline looming Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, general manager Les Snead may have little choice but to pursue reinforcements.
Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr., Indianapolis’ Josh Downs and the Jets’ Isaiah Williams are among the receivers worth calling about.
McVay has repeatedly expressed confidence in his receiving depth, but that was before Nacua’s knee injury. Losing Adams was bad enough, but now losing Nacua, the engine that powers this offense, could prompt the Rams to finally make a move for another receiver.
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