Receiver Puka Nacua will be placed on injured reserve after re-aggravating his right knee injury during the Los Angeles Rams’ season-opening loss at Detroit.
Rams coach Sean McVay said on Monday that Nacua will be out for at least a month. “It’s unfortunate for him, and I’m bummed out for the person,” McVay said.
Nacua missed a lot of training camp and preseason because of a knee injury he sustained in an early workout.
He hurt the knee again in the second quarter against the Lions, briefly tried to return to the game, but then had to leave the field on a cart. Nacua had four catches for 35 yards before he left.
Nacua had an outstanding rookie season last year, setting records for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486).
He also added nine catches for a rookie playoff-record 181 yards in the Rams’ postseason loss to Detroit.
Nacua and Cooper Kupp were expected to be one of the top receiving duos in the NFL this season, especially since Kupp was either sidelined or slowed down for much of Nacua’s rookie year.
Kupp had a great game in the season opener, tying his career high with 14 receptions in the Rams’ 26-20 overtime loss.
McVay said the Rams will rely on Kupp, Demarcus Robinson, and Tyler Johnson while Nacua is out. Los Angeles is also facing several major injuries on the offensive line, with second-year guard Steve Avila likely headed to injured reserve with a sprained knee ligament.
