The Rams have a much clearer read on Puka Nacua’s injury situation now, and the picture is better than the initial panic suggested.
After Nacua exited Sunday’s 20-13 win over the Washington Commanders with a knee injury on the final offensive snap, concern spread quickly inside the organization. He had already been managing knee and toe issues in recent weeks, and the timing of the latest setback made it feel especially ominous. But according to Mike Garafolo, “The team does not believe he suffered a torn ACL, but the imaging Monday will tell more,”
ESPN’s Dan Graziano added that Los Angeles is still holding out hope for a relatively quick return. He reported that Nacua could be back in Week 15 against Dallas, and noted the Rams’ handling of the roster situation around him.
“I found it interesting that the Rams placed Whittington on injured reserve Tuesday but did not do the same with Nacua,” he wrote. “Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday that Nacua was likely to land on injured reserve because of knee and toe injuries, but so far he has not.
If the Rams put him on IR, the soonest he could return is Week 15 against the Cowboys. “Speaking to people close to this situation Monday evening, they were very adamant that Nacua’s injury isn’t season-ending and that they hope to get him back for Week 14 or 15.”
The Rams could have used another wideout with Davante Adams and Jordan Whittington on IR, but their offseason moves left them short on future draft capital, making a trade difficult.
Before leaving Sunday’s game, Nacua put together another huge outing, finishing with 14 catches for 150 yards in the win. Through seven games this season, he has 70 receptions for 715 yards and four touchdowns.
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