The Los Angeles Rams fought back to force the first overtime of the new NFL season but were beaten 26-20 by the Detroit Lions after losing three key starters in a nightmare first half of "Sunday Night Football".
The Rams were down 10-3 at the half following a late Jahmyr Gibbs touchdown and the Lions extended their lead in the third quarter following a 52-yard touchdown from wide receiver Jameson Williams. Rams running back Kyren Williams got Los Angeles back within one possession, and quarterback Matthew Stafford went back to basics in the fourth as he searched for a healthy Cooper Kupp.
Kupp scored a vital touchdown and stepped up in the absence of the injured Puka Nacua before the Rams tied the game. Lions running back David Montgomery sealed Detroit the win in overtime with a 2-yard touchdown run, after two bursts through the Rams' defense to get the team in the red zone.
The Rams were depleted in the second half as Nacua suffered a knee injury and didn't return to the field, joining offensive lineman Steve Avila and tackle Joe Noteboom in the locker room. All three players started against the Lions but failed to complete the game, leaving the Rams sweating over the extent of their injuries.
Nacua's injury came during the second quarter after he had already made four catches for 35 yards. Nacua limped off the field and went straight to the blue medical tent where he was evaluated, and initially returned to the game before heading to the locker room.
During NBC's broadcast of the primetime game, co-commentator Cris Collinsworth was in shock at how quickly the Rams had become depleted. "I have never seen a lineup like this on opening day. And they didn’t play anyone, really, in the preseason," he said. "This is pretty remarkable."
Nacua would be a major miss in the Rams offense if he faces a spell on the sidelines, after a stunning rookie season in Los Angeles. The Rams picked up the BYU product in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and the receiver went on to break four rookie records last season.
The Rams started Nacua in all 17 regular season games last season and showed the other 31 teams what they'd passed up in the draft. Nacua had 1,486 yards off 105 receptions last season, which set new rookie records.
Nacua also set a new record for total receptions in a game, breaking the rookie record with 15 in a 30–23 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Nacua also scored six touchdowns in his rookie season and was focused on improving his numbers this year.
The Rams knew that Nacua had suffered knee issues this summer after he missed several weeks during training camp. Nacua injured his knee during a joint practice and only returned on Aug. 26 before becoming a full participant at the start of the week.
Nacua set himself a target for this season, to pick up where he left off and play in every regular season game. The receiver said to TheRams.com: "The one goal, I know I for sure have, is to play in all regular season games. That was something that I was able to accomplish in my rookie year.
"To be able to go out there, be there for my team and for myself out there on Sundays is something that I hold dear to my heart. That's a challenge that I'm ready for." In order for Nacua to stick to his personal goals, he will need to clear the injury report quickly to be considered against the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday.
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