Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua will be placed on injured reserve due to a PCL sprain, according to head coach Sean McVay, as reported by Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic.
The injury is an aggravation of a knee issue Nacua originally sustained during the summer, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. Nacua is currently undergoing additional tests to assess the full extent of the injury, Schefter added.
Nacua, 23, recorded four receptions for 35 yards before leaving the Rams’ Week 1 overtime defeat. He also had one rush for seven yards. After aggravating the injury, Nacua briefly returned to the game but was carted to the locker room at halftime and later ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The rookie receiver had an outstanding debut season in 2023, finishing with 1,486 yards and six touchdowns on 105 receptions.
In Nacua’s absence, Cooper Kupp will be the Rams’ primary receiving option. Kupp ended Sunday’s game with 14 catches for 110 yards and one touchdown, adding two rushes for 10 yards. His 14 receptions were the highest of all players in Week 1.
Tyler Johnson and Demarcus Robinson are expected to compete for the No. 2 receiver position. Johnson recorded five receptions for 79 yards against the Lions, ranking second on the team, while Robinson had 42 yards on four catches, placing fourth.
The Rams’ upcoming schedule includes division games against the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, followed by matches against the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.
