Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua sidelined with multi-week injury

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua will be sidelined for an extended period, according to Fox News, NBC Sports, and NFL.com. Head coach Sean McVay announced on Wednesday that the star wide receiver suffered a sprained MCL and PCL along with a turf toe injury during the final play of the Rams' 20-13 win against the Washington Commanders. [1][5][6]

Fox News reported that the Rams will not place Nacua on the injured reserve list due to roster semantics, despite the prolonged absence. NBC Sports also confirmed that Nacua will avoid an injured reserve designation, while CBS Sports reported that he faces a multi-week absence. The decision follows earlier reports by the New York Post suggesting the team expected to place him on injured reserve, which would have forced him to miss at least four games. [1][2][4][5]

Nacua injured his right knee after recording 150 receiving yards and a touchdown during the victory over the Commanders, as FTMQ News reported earlier. Fox News added that Nacua had already missed two games earlier in the season due to a separate injury. [1][10]

Nacua was selected by the Rams in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft after playing college football at Washington and BYU. He set NFL rookie records for receiving yards and receptions, earned two Pro Bowl selections, and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2025 after leading the league in receptions. [8][9]