Rams Weigh Options After Puka Nacua Injury, McVay Says
Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said the team would consider all options after Puka Nacua suffered multiple injuries and was expected to miss at least a month. The Kansas City Chiefs then acquired wide receiver Josh Downs before the trade deadline, while the Rams had not made a receiver move.
Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday the team would consider all avenues after wide receiver Puka Nacua suffered a sprained MCL and PCL in his right leg and turf toe, with an absence of at least a month expected.
The injury put the Rams’ plans ahead of the trade deadline in focus. Kansas City later acquired Indianapolis Colts receiver Josh Downs just before the 4 p.m. ET deadline, while Los Angeles had yet to make a move for a wide receiver.
Nacua was hurt on the Rams’ final offensive snap in Sunday’s victory over the Washington Commanders. He ran for 5 yards on a third-down play intended to help end the game, then took a hard hit and briefly remained on the ground before walking off.
He finished with 14 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown, on 19 targets from quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Rams were already without receiver Davante Adams, who suffered a hamstring injury in Week 6.
McVay said the team was examining its options. “I think you look at all avenues,” he said.
McVay had previously said he did not expect the Rams to be active before the deadline. Asked whether Nacua’s injury changed that, he said, “I would never rule it out.”
The coach also said he was “kicking himself” over the decision to use Nacua on the late run with Los Angeles holding a 20-13 lead. He said he felt “tremendous responsibility” for the play and for protecting players while putting them in positions to help the team.
If placed on injured reserve, Nacua would miss games against the Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. McVay did not give a specific recovery timeline, but said the team believed the absence would last at least a month.
Nacua has 70 catches for 715 yards and four touchdowns in seven games this season. His 25 receptions over the past two games are the second-most by a Rams player in the Super Bowl era, according to ESPN Research.
The Rams entered the situation at 5-4, with the NFL’s toughest remaining strength of schedule, according to ESPN Analytics. Downs instead headed to Kansas City, which had struck its deal with Indianapolis before the deadline.
