The Los Angeles Rams will be without their top wide receiver for an extended period.
Puka Nacua sprained his MCL and PCL and sustained a turf toe injury during the Rams’ 20-13 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. He will be sidelined for an extended period, coach Sean McVay said Wednesday.
“We won’t place him on IR due to some semantics with the roster and things like that, but he’ll be out for an extended period of time,” McVay said, according to The Athletic.
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Although Nacua missed two games earlier this season due to injury, he has been incredibly productive when healthy. In seven games, the two-time Pro Bowler has 70 catches for 715 yards and four touchdowns.
Compounding the Rams’ problems, they are now without their top two wide receivers, as Davante Adams remains sidelined with a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 6. The Rams play the Green Bay Packers in Week 12 on Thanksgiving Eve, and McVay said the team is currently targeting that crucial NFC matchup for Adams’ return.
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In six games this season, the six-time Pro Bowler has 30 catches for 480 yards and four touchdowns. Without Nacua and Adams, the Rams are incredibly thin at wide receiver. They hope Konata Mumpfield, Tutu Atwell, CJ Daniels and Xavier Smith can step up in their absence while also leaning on their deep group of tight ends.
Despite their precarious situation at wide receiver, McVay cited Adams’ expected return as a reason the Rams didn’t acquire a receiver at the trade deadline.
“It kind of takes two [to trade], and you’ve got to be able to see what you’re willing to give, what’s out there, what’s out there as far as envisioning things,” McVay said, according to The Athletic. “I think with a lot of the moves that you guys will be wondering about, what we are optimistic about is Davante’s return is sooner [rather] than later.”
The Rams have won their last three games to improve to 5-4 this season. The Arizona Cardinals (3-6) beat them earlier this season, and Los Angeles will look to avenge that loss when the teams meet again Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET. The Cardinals will start rookie Carson Beck at quarterback.