The Los Angeles Rams were dealt a major blow during their Week 9 game against the Washington Commanders, and that may impact their upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The play looked innocent enough. Star wideout Puka Nacua took a fourth-quarter handoff and got up after being tackled, but as the aftermath of the game unfolded, it turned out that Nacua had suffered an injury on the play.
Ultimately, Nacua was diagnosed with PCL and MCL strains that head coach Sean McVay initially thought would send their star receiver to injured reserve. Nacua was also diagnosed with turf toe after the play, which was the Rams' last offensive play of the game.
Puka Nacua avoids injured reserve despite multiple injuries
A trip to IR would have automatically rendered Nacua out for the next four weeks, which would have made him ineligible for the Rams' Week 13 tilt against the Chiefs. Instead, the Rams are reportedly keeping Nacua on the 53-man roster, with the caveat that he will still miss extended time and that the fact that the All-Pro wideout avoided going on injured reserve is "roster semantics," according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN.
Rams face receiver concerns ahead of Chiefs matchup
The Rams, who are already without Davante Adams, stood pat at Tuesday's NFL trade deadline and will need to make some adjustments to their lineup as they enter the back half of the season. Tight end Terrance Ferguson did go to IR this week, and without Adams or Nacua, McVay will have to turn to receivers Tutu Atwell, rookie CJ Daniels, and slot receiver Konata Mumpfield.
Los Angeles travels to face the Arizona Cardinals this week before its Week 11 bye. Then the Rams will host the Packers before the Chiefs come to town on Thursday, December 3.
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