Rams star Puka Nacua likely will be placed on injured reserve

Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times on Nov 9, 2026

Published in Football

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LOS ANGELES — The Rams’ receiver corps — and the team’s aspirations for another Super Bowl title — continue to sustain major hits.

Star Puka Nacua likely will be placed on injured reserve because of a right knee sprain he suffered during the Rams’ victory over the Washington Commanders, coach Sean McVay said Monday.

Nacua caught 14 passes for a season-best 150 yards and a touchdown in the 20-13 victory on Sunday in Landover, Md., but he was injured after running a jet sweep on the Rams’ final offensive play.

An MRI scan revealed that Nacua sprained his medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments. He also has a turf toe injury, McVay said.

The Rams’ offense was attempting to close out the team’s third consecutive victory with a first down that would have enabled them to run out the clock. McVay said he was “kicking myself” about calling on Nacua in that situation.

“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,” McVay said during a videoconference with reporters.

Nacua was sidelined two games this season because of a hip injury and was also playing through a calf injury. During the game against the Commanders, he was evaluated for a possible concussion.

If Nacua goes on injured reserve, he will join star receiver Davante Adams, who has been out since suffering a hamstring injury against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6 at SoFi Stadium.

Players on injured reserve are required to sit out at least four games, so Nacua would miss Sunday’s game against the Cardinals and games against the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers before he would be eligible to return against the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 20.

McVay said Monday he did not have a timeline for Adams’ return.

“There are other guys that are very capable of doing some good stuff for us, and we’ll look to see those guys step up,” McVay said.

Receiver Konata Mumpfield has 11 catches, Tutu Atwell seven, Jordan Whittington two and CJ Daniels none.

McVay has said in the last few weeks that he did not foresee the Rams being active before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. But Nacua’s situation could change that.

“You’ve got to look at all the avenues to try to be able to solve some of the issues or situations or scenarios that have come up,” he said, adding, “I would never rule it out.”

Nacua was not the only player injured Sunday who could be sidelined for multiple games.

Left guard Steve Avila left against the Commanders because of a hamstring strain.

NFL teams are limited to having only eight players return from injured reserve. McVay said the Rams were “hoping to avoid” placing Avila on injured reserve but “certainly wouldn’t say there’s a zero chance.”

Etc.

Cornerback Trent McDuffie, who sat out against the Commanders because of a back injury, is making progress and “hopefully” will be available against the Cardinals, McVay said. ... After the game against the Commanders, McVay said tight end Terrance Ferguson was not activated from injured reserve as planned because of a hamstring injury suffered on Friday. “Probably be another couple weeks for him,” McVay said.

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