The Los Angeles Rams have placed star receiver Puka Nacua on injured reserve after he suffered a knee injury in the loss to the Detroit Lions .
On the first Sunday Night Football contest of the 2024 NFL season, the Rams lost 26-20 to the Lions in overtime with the NFC West franchise suffering numerous injuries . Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was exceptional on his return to Detroit, throwing for 317 yards and a touchdown to Cooper Kupp, along with an interception .
But Stafford will be without one of his favored targets for at least the next four games. On Monday, Rams head coach Sean McVay announced Nacua was being placed on IR after he suffered a PCL sprain, ruling him out of road trips to the Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears as well as the visits of the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers to SoFi Stadium.
Nacua aggravated his knee injury midway through the second quarter of the loss to the Lions. He limped off the field and went into the blue medical tent before returning and attempting to play through the issue, only to exit permanently.
The 23-year-old had four catches for 35 yards before the injury, an aggravation of a knock sustained last month in joint practice versus the Los Angeles Chargers. Nacua, who had missed several weeks with the issue, was listed as a full participant in the buildup to the Lions game, and McVay admitted the injury was “a little bit more significant” than the previous situation.
“You can see he's an impact player,” McVay added of Nacua. “He gets four targets, he has four catches for almost 50 yards. He has a jet sweep, he does stuff in the run game. He's a factor. He is just one of those guys that just makes a difference. And so, it's unfortunate for him, and I'm bummed out for the person more importantly."
Nacua played in all 17 games in his record-setting rookie season. He tallied 105 catches for 1,486 receiving yards, which e stablished new rookie NFL records in each category.
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Last season, Nacua saw his opportunity to shine in the absence of an injured Kupp. Against the Lions, Kupp hauled in 14 catches for 110 yards and a score and represents the clear lead option for Stafford and the Rams offense, although veteran pickup Tyler Johnson turned in a career-high 79 yards on five receptions.
The Rams also suffered several key offensive line injuries. Joe Noteboom, who started at left tackle in place of the suspended Alaric Jackson, departed with a high ankle sprain that could see him miss “a few weeks”. Los Angeles was also without right tackle Rob Havenstein in Week 1, as he is coming back from an ankle injury.
Sophomore left guard Steve Avila also left the game with an MCL sprain, while right guard Kevin Dotson suffered a lateral sprain to his ankle but is day-to-day. Dotson was seen leaving the locker room in Detroit with a protective boot.
Rams cornerback Cobie Durant injured his toe Sunday, McVay said, but his injury is also day-to-day. The Rams are already without cornerback Darious Williams, who will miss at least three more games as he is on IR with a hamstring strain.
The Rams are next in action against the 0-1 Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 15.
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