10
Loading video...
By Aaron Becker
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The Los Angeles Rams are set to be without star wide receiver Puka Nacua for the foreseeable future after he suffered a knee injury on the final play of the team's Week 9 win over the Washington Commanders. For most players, that would mean a trip to injured reserve, but that doesn't seem to be the case for Nacua.
According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters that the team is not going to place Nacua on injured reserve due to roster mechanics.
That could have some Rams fans wondering if Nacua could return to the field sooner rather than later, but McVay added that Nacua will still be out for a “significant period of time.”
Read More on NFL
It's certainly a bit of an unusual decision as the Rams will now have to operate is if they only have 52 spots on their active roster. The injured reserve is available to teams to let them sideline players for a minimum of four games, which Nacua seems to be in line for.
Per Dan Graziano of ESPN, Nacua is not expected back until around Week 14 or Week 15.
"I found it interesting that the Rams placed [Jordan] Whittington on injured reserve Tuesday but did not do the same with Nacua," Graziano wrote. "Speaking to people close to this situation on Monday evening, they were very adamant that Nacua's injury isn't season-ending and that they hope to get him back around Week 14, Week 15 time."
...
Only time will tell if that will be the case, but it seems the Rams are keeping the door open for Nacua to return sooner than expected, and rightfully so.
In the meantime, Los Angeles will have to rely on a very underwhelming wide receiver room, which includes the likes of Konata Mumpfield, Tutu Atwell, CJ Daniels and Xavier Smith.
Someone is going to have to step up, but it is safe to assume no one will have the impact Nacua does on a weekly basis.
A fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of BYU, Nacua has recorded 383 catches for 4,906 yards and 23 touchdowns in his professional career.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines