Rams Place Puka Nacua on IR After Reversing Decision

Nacua Headed to Injured Reserve

The Los Angeles Rams made a sudden change to their roster plans on Thursday by placing wide receiver Puka Nacua on injured reserve. Nacua injured the MCL in his right knee and also sustained a toe injury during Sunday's victory over the Washington Commanders. Head coach Sean McVay explained that Nacua is expected to miss "an extended period of time."

On Wednesday, McVay had said that because of roster mechanics, the Rams would keep Nacua on the active roster. However, the front office pivoted on Thursday to make a roster spot available. The move allowed Los Angeles to sign receiver Brennan Presley to the active roster and bring receiver Tyler Scott onto the practice squad.

A Big Blow to the Offense

Nacua will sit out at least four games while on injured reserve. He will miss the road game at the Arizona Cardinals, home contests against the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs, and a road matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

The loss of Nacua hurts a Rams team sitting at 5-4 on the season. In seven games this year, Nacua has caught 70 passes for 715 yards and four touchdowns. His 70 receptions are the most through a player's first seven games of a season in NFL history. Nacua had already missed games in Weeks 2 and 3 earlier this year because of a hip injury.

Los Angeles is now missing its top receiving options. The team is also playing without wide receiver Davante Adams. Adams has been on injured reserve since rupturing a hamstring muscle late in the Rams' Week 6 loss to Arizona.

What it means for the next game

Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals (NFL, Sun, 15 Nov): Arizona Cardinals win 19%, Los Angeles Rams win 81%; projected score Arizona Cardinals 14, Los Angeles Rams 25. Our safest pick: Rams to win.