Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has a PCL sprain and will miss at least the next four games after being placed on injured reserve.
Nacua went down with the injury in the second quarter of Sunday night’s 26-20 overtime loss at Detroit. The BYU product had four catches for 35 yards before leaving the game.
Nacua was originally injured in a joint scrimmage with the Chargers on Aug. 4. He was out for three weeks before returning to practice on Aug. 26.
“You can see he’s an impact player,” Rams 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.”
Nacua blew up the record books for rookie WRs last season, posting the most receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486) in NFL history. He did so despite not being selected until the fifth round with the #177 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Nacua played in all 17 of L.A.’s regular-season games last year, hauling in six touchdowns catches and 68 receptions that resulted in first downs. He added 89 rushing yards on 12 attempts that gained first-down yardage five times.
In the Rams’ 24-23 loss at Detroit in last year’s Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs, Nacua caught nine balls on 10 targets for 181 receiving yards and one TD.
L.A.’s next four games are at Arizona, vs. San Francisco, at Chicago and vs. Green Bay. The Rams hope he’ll be able to return for an Oct. 20 home game vs. Las Vegas after the team’s open date that’s in Week 6.
McVay’s team sustained other key injuries at Detroit, too, especially on the offensive line. Joe Noteboom, who started at left tackle against the Lions, is going to “probably be out for a few weeks” after suffering a high ankle sprain. He was starting in place of OT Alaric Jackson, who is suspended for the first two games of the year.
The Rams were also without starting right tackle Rob Havenstein, who couldn’t go at Detroit due to an ankle issue and is considered day-to-day. Steve Avila, the club’s starting left guard, sprained his MCL at Detroit and is probably headed to IR and a four-game absence.
Kevin Dotson, L.A.’s starting right guard, was wearing a walking boot on his left foot after Sunday night’s loss for an ankle injury that’s also considered day-to-day. McVay said he’s hopeful Dotson will be ready to play against the Cardinals.
The Rams will also be without starting CB Darious Williams for at least three more games. He’s on IR for a hamstring injury.
As of Tuesday morning, most books had Arizona installed as a one or 1.5-point home favorite vs. the Rams, who were +105 on the money line at BetOnline and a few other offshores.