Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua is expected to be placed on the injured reserve list list after the knee injuries he suffered in the game against the Washington Commanders this past weekend.
If Nacua does get an IR designation, he will have to miss at least four games with a potential to miss even more time.
This is bad news for the Rams. It would be even worse if Nacua’s season was over.
But, ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano reported that this is unlikely in an article that was published on Wednesday.
“Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday that Nacua was likely to land on injured reserve because of knee and toe injuries, but so far he has not. If the Rams put him on IR, the soonest he could return is Week 15 against the Cowboys,” Graziano wrote.
“If they think it’s possible Nacua might only have to miss four weeks, they could refrain from putting him on IR and possibly have him back in time for their Week 14 game at San Francisco.
“This all becomes moot if they put Nacua on IR this week, but just keep an eye on the situation if they don’t,” he continued.
“Speaking to people close to this situation Monday evening, they were very adamant that Nacua’s injury isn’t season-ending and that they hope to get him back for Week 14 or 15.”
Graziano’s report that those close to the situation are “adamant” Nacua’s season isn’t over offers Rams fans a much-needed reason for optimism.
The bigger question is whether the Rams can remain competitive in his absence, which would give Nacua something meaningful to return to.
