Rams receiver Puka Nacua will miss at least four games with a knee injury
The Los Angeles Rams have been ravaged by injuries all summer long and that trend continued Week 1 of the regular season. In addition to being down their starting cornerback and a plethora of offensive lineman, star receiver Puka Nacua was forced out of the game early with a knee injury and did not return. Nacua was carted off the field at half time, making many nervous that it was something serious and we now have an update on his injury.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it was initially reported that Nacua was considered week-to-week after re-aggravating the same knee injury that kept him out the final few weeks of training camp. Head coach Sean McVay also mentioned that Nacua is dealing with a PCL sprain.
Update: The Rams have placed Nacua on IR with his knee injury and he will miss at least four games
Rams HC Sean McVay clarified his earlier comments and said Puka Nacua will placed on IR due to his knee injury and he will miss at least four games.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 9, 2024
While it’s obviously positive news that nothing structural was severely damaged after Nacua went down early in the second quarter of Sunday night’s matchup, it does seem to be an injury that looks to linger and hamper him further if not given the proper time to heal.
The initial ailment took place on Aug. 4 during a joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers, however this time it’s “a little bit more significant than what was previously the situation,” said McVay.
Back in training camp, McVay said that Nacua landed on a bursa sac in his knee which he seemed to have popped, but downplayed the injury at the time.
“Really just had a little bit of a bursa sac, kind of burst it,” said McVay back in the summer “And it’s just going to be week-to-week with him. Nothing serious, nothing structurally. He’ll be in good shape, and he’ll recover and we’ll be ready to go. No threat of anything for Detroit.”
Given that Nacua has now bother the same knee issue again, it’s expected that Los Angeles should treat the injury with a little more caution this time around. Nacua may have wanted to be on the field for Week 1, but after possibly rushing the injury the first time, the team now could face bigger consequences because of their decision, depending on how much time he misses.
With Nacua out, it should mean more opportunities for Tyler Johnson and Jordan Whittington, if not Tutu Atwell.
