Although Sunday’s 20-13 victory over the Washington Commanders extended the Los Angeles Rams’ winning streak to three games and put them above .500 for the first time this season, it came with a detrimental injury.
Superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua is expected to be placed on injured reserve after suffering MCL and PCL sprains as well as a turf toe late in the fourth quarter in Sunday’s win, head coach Sean McVay told reporters. He did not provide a timetable for his return.
Nacua was injured on the Rams’ final offensive play, where he took a handoff and cut downfield before being hit by safety Jeremy Reaves and linebacker Sonny Styles, causing his leg to twist. He remained on the ground briefly before leaving on his own.
It’s a blow for Los Angeles, which is already without WR Davante Adams (ruptured hamstring) for the foreseeable future, leaving Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson in line for more targets as the Rams look to keep their playoff hopes alive.
However, Nacua may not be the case.
Los Angeles is set to face the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers before their Week 1 bye, which would reportedly put them in position to be without their top two receivers for at least two weeks.
Like Seattle, they sit just outside the playoff picture:
1. San Francisco 49ers (7-1)
2. Minnesota Vikings (6-1)
3. New York Giants (5-2-1)
4. Carolina Panthers (3-5)
7. Green Bay Packers (6-3)
Next up, the Seahawks and Rams are 5-4. Given the strength of the NFC, missing Nacua, even if he heals quickly, could be detrimental to Los Angeles.
Gn sports
