The Los Angeles Rams will place second-year wide receiver Puka Nacua on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury during their 2024 season opener against the Detroit Lions. He could return to action as early as Week 7 when the Rams face the Las Vegas Raiders. Los Angeles’ NFC team will have their bye the week before.
As Pro Athlete Physical Therapy founder Edwin Porras, DPT, shared, Nacua might have incurred the injury when he dove for a catch, forcing his knee to collide with the turf. Another instance showed a collision with a Lions defensive player, causing his knee to bounce off the turf again.
Nacua finished the game against Detroit with a seven-yard run and four catches for 35 yards. However, while he won’t be playing for at least four games, Nacua’s fantasy football owners should put him on IR until the Rams activate him.
Puka Nacua Knee
— Edwin Porras, DPT (@FBInjuryDoc) September 9, 2024
1. Bangs R knee on turf
2. Defender hits knee + bounces off turf
-Biggest concern: “bursa sac” is also a PCL
-Worst case: 8+ weeks *Highly unlikely*
-Mid case: 3-4 weeks
-Comp: Andre Ellington (3 weeks)
-Best case: 0-1 weeks
-Comp: Eric Decker (1 week) pic.twitter.com/YBCCUWJBhG
Missing at least four games is what Rams fans hoped Nacua could have avoided, especially after an impressive 2023 season wherein he established a rookie record for receiving yards. The Rams will have a tough time compensating for his on-field production unless someone else steps up or Cooper Kupp reverts to his Offensive Player of the Year form.
Kupp took over and finished with 14 receptions for 110 yards against Detroit. However, his efforts came up short after the Lions won the game in overtime via a one-yard David Montgomery run.
-Lance Fernandez