Puka Nacua shines for Rams in win over Commanders, but his knee injury is a concern

Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times on Nov 8, 2026

Published in Football

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LANDOVER, Md. — Count Puka Nacua among the legion of Los Angeles Rams players who suffered injuries this season.

Nacua was sidelined for two games because of a hip injury and he has produced at an All-Pro level despite a calf problem.

But Nacua remains the Rams’ biggest weapon — with edge rusher Myles Garrett making his own case for consideration.

On Sunday, Nacua caught 14 passes for a season-high 150 yards and a touchdown and Garrett recorded three sacks as the Rams defeated the Washington Commanders 20-13 at Northwest Stadium.

“We needed all 14 of those catches,” said coach Sean McVay, whose team improved to 5-4.

It wasn’t all good news: After the Rams left the stadium, ESPN reported that Nacua sustained a knee injury on the final play and would have an MRI scan Monday. A person with knowledge of the situation, who requested anonymity because the test had not been done, confirmed the report.

The Rams have won three consecutive games heading in next Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz. The Rams will then have what amounts to a mini-bye before they play the Green Bay Packers the night before Thanksgiving at SoFi Stadium.

By then, the Rams aim to have defensive lineman Kobie Turner activated from injured reserve. Receiver Davante Adams also would be eligible to return, though McVay initially said last month that Adams could be sidelined as many as 10 weeks.

It remains to be seen how much McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford will be able to rely on Nacua, who was targeted 19 times against the Commanders and also rushed for 20 yards despite being examined for a concussion after landing hard while attempting to catch a long pass. It was the third time this season that Nacua amassed at least 125 yards receiving.

Nacua shook off a couple of drops to make big plays, especially on critical fourth downs and on a seven-yard touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter.

“Got to come down with the easy ones,” Nacua said. “Shout out to Matthew, still being able to trust me.”

Stafford completed 26 of 43 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown, with an interception.

“Great like he always is,” Stafford said of Nacua. “He gave us a spark.”

Garrett played for the first time since undergoing knee surgery after the Rams’ season-opening defeat by the San Francisco 49ers in Australia.

The reigning NFL defensive player of the year made three tackles, including a second-quarter strip sack that set up a Rams field goal and a late fourth-quarter sack that stifled the Commanders’ final opportunity. He also was called for two pre-snap penalties.

“Felt rusty as hell the first half and had a couple penalties,” Garrett said. “But I knew I was going to get it back for us.”

Said McVay: “He was at his best when his best was required.”

Lineman Aaron Donald, a three-time NFL defensive player of the year, made one tackle in his first game playing alongside Garrett.

“He got a three piece!” Donald said. “It was good to have him out there. It was good to be out there working with him. Gotta just keep it going.”

The Rams were without starting cornerbacks Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie, but Josh Wallace and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. helped limit the Commanders to one touchdown and two field goals.

The victory was especially sweet for Forbes.

The Commanders chose him with the 16th pick in the 2023 draft but released him eight games into his second season. The Rams claimed Forbes on waivers and he has developed into a valuable rotational player.

“Definitely some emotion going on,” said Forbes, who made six tackles and broke up three passes.

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels completed 24 of 35 passes for 274 yards, including a touchdown to former Rams receiver Van Jefferson.

But that was not enough against a defense that showed once again that it can carry the Rams when the offense struggles.

After Nacua gave the Rams a 20-13 lead, Garrett got his third sack just before the two-minute warning, stifling a Commanders comeback.

But the Rams could not run out the clock.

The Commanders got the ball with 52 seconds left at their nine-yard line and moved to the Rams’ 31. On the final play, Daniels completed a pass, but the Commanders were unable to reach the end zone.

Garrett indicated the pass rush can be even better.

“There were some great rushes that didn’t exactly get there, but we’re still proud of, and we’ll continue to drill down on the practice field,” he said. “But we’re making our way.”

With Garrett now helping lead it.

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