Puka Nacua’s night ended with a scare, even as the Los Angeles Rams walked away with a 20-13 win over the Washington Commanders.
On the Rams’ final offensive snap, the wide receiver took a hard shot from Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves. Video showed Reaves diving into Nacua’s legs as the receiver came downhill, sending the 25-year-old airborne.
According to NFL Network and ESPN, Nacua is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday. The report also says the Rams believe he has not torn his ACL, though the injury remains a major concern for a team that has already been battered by injuries this season.
Before the collision, Nacua was once again the engine of the Rams’ passing game. He was targeted 19 times by Matthew Stafford, finishing with 14 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown. It was the ninth time in his career that he has gone for 150 receiving yards, a mark topped only by Justin Jefferson’s 11 such games in his first four NFL seasons.
Nacua’s touchdown came on a seven-yard grab in the corner of the end zone, a leaping catch that broke a 13-13 tie early in the fourth quarter.
The Rams improved to 5-4 and moved above .500 for the first time this season. They also did it while continuing to navigate a depleted roster. Head coach Sean McVay has already been without stars such as Davante Adams and Myles Garrett, and Adams ruptured his hamstring last month while Garrett returned from knee surgery on Sunday.
Garrett made an immediate impact in his comeback, recording three sacks and forcing a fumble as Los Angeles held on for its third straight win.
In Other News...
Rams Could Face An Early Problem That Changes This Road Game
Sundays trip to Northwest Stadium looks like it should be a clean one on paper, with the Rams set to face the Commanders in a 1 p.m. ET kickoff on Nov. 8. The early forecast calls for sunshine and temperatures in the low 60s, which usually suggests a comfortable afternoon for football, and the game-day logistics are straightforward enough with parking and stadium opening times already laid out for fans making the trip.
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Matthew Stafford Update Should Have Rams Fans Paying Attention
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Around the division, there is no shortage of quarterback and receiver noise adding to the backdrop. The 49ers are dealing with injuries at receiver and the possibility of a major move, while Seattle is sorting through its own offensive line questions and Sam Darnold has already acknowledged problems with his passing decisions in a recent game. Against that kind of landscape, Staffords status is worth watching closely, because the Rams know how quickly one health note can turn into a bigger storyline. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Face A Delicate Matthew Stafford Problem On Offense
Matthew Staffords arm soreness has become a subtle but important subplot for the Rams as they try to keep their offense on schedule without asking too much of their quarterback. He was a full participant in practice and stayed off the injury report, but the way Los Angeles has been shaping its attack suggests the staff is still thinking carefully about how much it wants on Staffords plate.
The Rams have been leaning more on the run to ease his passing load, and the results have varied depending on how often Stafford is asked to throw. When his attempts stay under 30 a game, the offense has generally been in a better place, which leaves the Rams balancing efficiency, health and the need to keep defenses honest as the season moves along. [Read more 🡒]