Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua was able to play on Sunday after injuring his knee in practice earlier in the week, but he didn’t get to celebrate the overtime win against the Seahawks on the field.
Nacua was ejected in the second quarter for throwing a punch at Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson after a scuffle following an interception by Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
“There were some things said earlier in the game and just letting my emotions get the best of me and reacting instead of responding kind of in that moment,” Nacua said, via Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com.
“I knew the play was down after the interception, and he just had some hands-on me while I was trying to get blocked off. So, I was just making sure I could defend myself and get ready to see whatever was happening for the next play.”
Rams head coach Sean McVay praised Nacua’s emotional involvement in the game, calling it one of his best qualities, and mentioned it would be “a learning opportunity” for the second-year player as he continues his career. Nacua is likely to face a fine from the league this week, but the team’s victory might help lessen the impact of the ejection and fine.