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Rams' Puka Nacua Likely to Go on Injured Reserve
Confirmed
In Short: Coach Sean McVay says Nacua, who is dealing with MCL and PCL sprains and turf toe, will likely go on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four games.
Coach Sean McVay announced on Monday that Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is likely to go on injured reserve due to MCL and PCL sprains in his right leg, along with turf toe.
Nacua's absence is a significant blow to the Rams, who are already dealing with the injury to six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Davante Adams, who is out with a hamstring injury.
In 2026, Nacua represented 27.6% of the Rams' team target share, the eighth-highest rate in the NFL this season.
Nacua led the NFL in catches (129), receiving first downs (80), and receiving yards per game (107.2) last season, and this year he has 70 catches for 715 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
McVay expressed regret over the play that led to Nacua's injury, saying, “It’s kicking myself in retrospect about exposing him to a big hit with a run play late with a 20-13 lead.”
Nacua suffered the injury on the Rams’ final offensive play of the game against the Washington Commanders, where he caught 14 passes for a season-high 150 yards and a touchdown.
The earliest Nacua could return is Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys, while Adams could return as early as Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers.
What this adds
The Rams are facing a significant challenge with the loss of two of their top receivers, Nacua and Adams, for an extended period.
What's confirmed
- The Rams likely will place wide receiver Puka Nacua on injured reserve with an MCL and PCL sprain in his right leg, as well as turf toe, coach Sean McVay said Monday.
What's still developing
- The Los Angeles Rams (5-4) can't catch a break from the injury.
- He had a brace on his knee after the game on the sideline.
- Week 9 of the 2026 fantasy football season featured another big performance from the Cincinnati Bengals ' trio of Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase, as well as massive days by Kenneth Walker III, CeeDee Lamb and Puka Nacua.
- Fowler called Donald the “big question mark” amid updates on fellow Rams stars Puka Nacua and Myles Garrett, both of whom are dealing with injuries.
- Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald is ruled out for the Week 4 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2026 NFL season, but wide receiver Puka Nacua returns.
- "Just in some of the change of direction stuff, some of the stuff in my hip area just was not feeling great," Nacua said.
- Nacua had five receptions for 74 yards in the season opener against the 49ers but missed games versus New York and Denver after hurting himself in practice on Sept.
- It's also not surprising to see Puka Nacua and Davante Adams in the top 16, especially when you consider they are playing the Cardinals.
Sources
- Espnlink
- Los Angeles Timeslink
- Orange County Registerlink
- Seattle Sportslink
- Espnlink
- Heavylink
- Bolaviplink
- Nfllink
- Foxsportslink
- CBS Sportslink
- LA Rams Report by Chat Sports — video link
- CBS Sports — video link
- ESPN LA — video link
- The Fantasy Football Show — video link
- Fantasy Football Overanalysis — video link