Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, who earned Pro Bowl honors last season as a rookie, was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter with a knee injury, the team said. Rams coach Sean McVay did not have an update on Nacua postgame.
During a catch, Nacua landed on his knee and limped off the field before getting a long evaluation by medical staff in the blue sideline tent. He eventually returned for a couple of plays but subbed back out and sat on the sideline bench in discussion with medical staff. Tyler Johnson took his place on the field.
The NBC broadcast showed Nacua being carted off the field to the locker room. He finished the game with four receptions for 35 yards.
The Lions went on to win in a gutsy 26-20 overtime thriller of last season’s NFC Wild Card Game rematch.
Rams Injury Updates: OL Steve Avila (knee) and WR Puka Nacua (knee) have been ruled out.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 9, 2024
Nacua missed multiple weeks of training camp and the preseason with a knee injury sustained in a joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers. McVay said at that time Nacua landed on a bursa sac in his knee. After Sunday’s game, McVay would not confirm whether it was the same knee Nacua initially injured (his right).
Along with Nacua, Rams starting left guard Steve Avila was also ruled out with a knee injury. The Rams lost backup left tackle Joe Noteboom to an ankle injury. Right guard Kevin Dotson played the entire game but left Ford Field with a walking boot on his left leg. McVay was not able to say whether any player would miss significant time.
The Rams drafted Nacua with the 177th pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Last season, he set NFL rookie records in receiving yards and receptions. He tallied 105 receptions for 1,486 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2023.
Required reading
- What we learned from Rams-Lions: Detroit wins in OT with room to grow, Jameson Williams shines and more
- Rams WR Puka Nacua on his first NFL offseason, training with Cooper Kupp and eating right
(Photo: Brandon Sloter / Getty Images)
