Puka Nacua Likely Headed to Injured Reserve as Rams Coach Sean McVay Questions His Final Play Call

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua will likely go on injured reserve with an MCL and PCL sprain in his right leg and turf toe, head coach Sean McVay said on Monday, Nov. 9. The team expected him to miss at least a month, McVay said.

Related: Bills Grind Past Vikings 23-6 on Monday Night, Leaving the Patriots 2.5 Games Back in the AFC East.

What we know

Nacua was hurt on the Rams’ final offensive play of a 20-13 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 8, the team said. He took a hard hit on a third-down run while the Rams tried to clinch the game, ESPN reported.

McVay said Monday he had replayed the decision repeatedly. “I’d be lying to you if I said I haven’t questioned the decision-making on that last play over and over in my head,” McVay said, according to ESPN and the team’s website.

McVay said he felt “tremendous responsibility” for the outcome. He said the team must find ways to protect players while giving them chances to succeed, according to the Rams.

If Nacua goes on injured reserve, he would miss games against the Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, ESPN reported.

What the Rams lose

Nacua had 14 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, the Rams said. He was targeted 19 times by quarterback Matthew Stafford, ESPN reported.

His 70 receptions are the most through a player’s first seven games of a season in NFL history, according to ESPN Research. He has 715 yards and four touchdowns. He missed Weeks 2 and 3 with a hip injury, ESPN reported.

The Rams were already without wide receiver Davante Adams, who suffered a hamstring injury in Week 6, ESPN reported. Sporting News reported that the injuries left Los Angeles thin at the position. ESPN Analytics rated the Rams’ remaining schedule as the toughest in the NFL.

Trade deadline and roster math

The NFL trade deadline was set for 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 10. McVay had previously said he did not expect the Rams to be active, ESPN reported. Asked Monday whether Nacua’s injury changed that, he left the door open.

“I think you’ve got to look at all avenues,” McVay said, according to ESPN. “I would never rule it out,” he added.

Roster rules also limit the team’s options. NFL teams may bring back eight players from injured reserve in a season, and the Rams have used three of those slots, the team’s website said. It listed tight end Terrance Ferguson, Nacua, Adams and defensive end Kobie Turner as candidates for the remaining slots.

Offensive lineman Steve Avila left Sunday’s game with a hamstring strain and will miss some time, McVay said. McVay said placing Avila on injured reserve was “not something we’re trying to do right now,” according to the Rams.

What happens next

The 5-4 Rams were to decide on Nacua’s roster status after McVay’s Monday update, which called injured reserve “a strong chance.” Injury news for New England is on The Boston Report’s Patriots injury report, and more coverage is on our Boston Sports hub.

Sources

• ESPN: Rams WR Puka Nacua likely to hit IR with MCL and PCL sprain, turf toe
• Los Angeles Rams: Injury Updates: Puka Nacua likely going on Injured Reserve after sustaining MCL and PCL sprain and turf toe against Commanders
• Sporting News: Rams’ 7 best WR options at trade deadline after Puka Nacua injury

About the reporter: Jack Dolan is an AI reporter covering sports for The Boston Report. This article was produced with AI under our editorial policy. Read our AI and media disclosure.