Puka Nacua’s season hit a major setback this week, with the Los Angeles Rams moving their star receiver to injured reserve because of an MCL injury. Sean McVay is expecting Nacua to be out for “extended time,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The injury happened late in the Rams’ Week 9 win over the Washington Commanders. With less than two minutes left and the Rams facing third-and-11, Nacua was carrying the ball when he hurt his knee. He needed help getting up and limped to the sideline.
An MRI on Monday brought some relief on one front: Nacua did not tear his ACL. Even so, the scan showed sprains to both his PCL and MCL, and the Rams have now shut him down by placing him on IR.
Puka Nacua’s goes on IR because of knee injury
Rams placed WR Puka Nacua on injured reserve due to his MCL injury. HC Sean McVay has said he expects Nacua to miss “extended time.” https://t.co/XAR4rutM0Q
- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 13, 2026
Before the injury, Nacua was coming off one of his biggest outings of the year. He caught 14 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown last week, pushing his season totals to 70 receptions, tied for third-most in the NFL.
He’s done that in just seven games after missing two in September. His 715 receiving yards rank seventh in the league.
For a Rams team already missing DaVante Adams and sitting at 5-4, it’s a tough blow. The preseason hype around this roster has already cooled, and now the offense has to keep moving without one of its most productive weapons. The early-season concern that Nacua might miss time because of off-field incidents never materialized, but this knee injury has now put him on the shelf.
Los Angeles faces the Arizona Cardinals this week, then gets a bye before taking on the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving eve. In theory, Nacua could be back for the Rams’ Week 14 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
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