The Los Angeles Rams not only lost the rematch game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football, but they also lost several players to injury. Among the players who exited the game was 2nd-year star wide receiver Puka Nacua.
Expectations for the former fifth-rounder’s season were sky-high after he broke several rookie receiving records last year. He caught 105 passes for 1486 yards and six touchdowns.
Rams Could Be Without Puka Nacua Into November
Shortly after the game, Nacua was moved to the injured reserve, which brings with it a mandatory four-week absence. It has been determined that Nacua sprained his PCL. As of Sunday morning, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that Nacua will likely miss eight weeks (seven games and the bye week) putting his return date as November 3rd when the Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks.
This would mean Nacua would miss games against the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Minnesota Vikings.
Tyler Johnson is expected to absorb Nacua’s snap share in the interim. Johnson caught five passes on seven targets for 79 yards against the Lions. Most of which came on a 63-yard catch and run at the end of the third quarter.
A similar prognosis was given for fellow sophomore Steve Avila. The center/left guard is expected to return to the field in the same week.
Puka Nacua’s injury is a recurrence of an issue that first arose during a joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers on August 4. Nacua missed several weeks of practice but returned to full participation in the week leading up to the Rams’ game against the Detroit Lions.
Based on his usage before the injury, Nacua looked to be yet again a focal point for the Rams’ offense. He was targeted four times and ran the ball once in the team’s first three drives.
“You can see he’s an impact player,” head coach Sean McVay said. “He gets four targets, he has four catches for almost 50 yards. He has a jet sweep, he does stuff in the run game. He’s a factor. He just is one of those guys that just makes a difference. And so, it’s unfortunate for him, and I’m bummed out for the person more importantly.”
