Rams' Puka Nacua Hurts Knee on Final Snap, Will Have MRI Monday
Los Angeles doesn't believe its All-Pro receiver tore his ACL, but imaging Monday will show the extent of the injury after a 14-catch day in Washington
Rams All-Pro receiver Puka Nacua hurt his knee on Los Angeles' final offensive snap in Sunday's 20-13 win over the Commanders and will undergo an MRI on Monday, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. The team does not believe he tore his ACL, but the imaging will determine how serious it is.
#Rams All-Pro WR Puka Nacua suffered a knee injury on the final offensive snap today and will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the injury, per @AdamSchefter and me. The team does not believe he suffered a torn ACL, but the imaging Monday will tell more.View on X →
Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo): #Rams All-Pro WR Puka Nacua suffered a knee injury on the final offensive snap today and will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the injury, per @AdamSchefter and me. The team does not believe he suffered a torn ACL, but the imaging Monday will tell more.
Nacua was hurt after taking a shot from Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves on the play, which Garafolo also posted. He walked off under his own power.
The timing stings, because Nacua was carrying the Rams' offense. He caught 14 of his 19 targets for 150 yards and a touchdown in Landover and added two carries for 20 yards. That gives him 56 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns this season, after he played through a calf injury in late October.
Los Angeles has been leaning on him heavily. Matthew Stafford was already without Davante Adams, who is out with a hamstring injury, and tight end Terrance Ferguson also missed the game with a hamstring injury.
The win was the Rams' third straight and moved them over .500 for the first time this season at 5-4. Los Angeles visits Arizona next Sunday, Nov. 15, at 1:05 PM PT.
If the MRI confirms the ACL is intact, the question becomes how much time Nacua needs. If it shows more, the Rams will have to decide quickly whether to look for receiver help before Tuesday's trade deadline.