Rams WR Puka Nacua To Miss At Least Four Weeks With Knee Injury
Sep 9, 2024, 3:26 PM
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 08: Puka Nacua #17 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 08, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT – The Los Angeles Rams and former BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua received unfortunate news regarding the second-year wideout’s injury status on Monday.
Los Angeles placed Nacua on the injured reserve following the week one contest and he will miss at least the next four games.
Rams WR Puka Nacua (knee) will be placed on injured reserve, will miss at least four games. pic.twitter.com/gcUyxeTbzJ
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2024
In the second quarter of the Rams’ season-opener in Detroit, Matthew Stafford threw a short pass to Nacua across the middle of the field.
No one made contact with Nacua but he had to go down to the field to catch the pass. He landed on his right side when going down for the catch, leading with his right knee.
He immediately started grabbing at his knee after the play ended.
#Rams coach Sean McVay tells reporters that star WR Puka Nacua has a knee sprain that he aggravated and he’s a candidate for IR. No surgery. Just rest and rehab.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 9, 2024
On Monday, it was reported that Nacau suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee. It is the same knee that Nacua injured during preseason and missed time for.
The best-case scenario for Nacau’s return to the field will be after the Rams’ week six bye.
Over the next four weeks, Los Angeles plays Arizona on the road, San Francisco at home, Chicago on the road, and Green Bay at home.
About Puka Nacua
Before his college career, the Provo, Utah native played high school football at Orem High School. He finished his career with the Tigers as the owner of multiple state records.
After high school, the receiver attended the University of Washington and played a couple of seasons for the Huskies.
After the 2020 season, Nacua returned home to Provo and immediately became a star for the Cougars.
Nacua finished his BYU career with a total of 91 catches for 1,430 yards and 11 touchdowns as well as 39 carries for 357 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Puka, man.
Gotta catch ’em all 🏈 pic.twitter.com/7rsLawwY3S
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
In April 2023, the Rams selected Nacua with the No. 177 overall pick during the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Nacua finished his first season as a professional with an NFL rookie record 105 receptions for 1,486 yards. He also scored six touchdowns.
The rookie wideout received NFL All-Pro second-team honors for his play in 2023. He finished as the runner-up to C.J. Stroud for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
About #LocalsInTheNFL
For over five years, KSL Sports has provided coverage on all NFL players with ties to the state of Utah.
Whether they attended Utah or BYU or grew up in the Beehive State, we keep you caught up with how the locals are performing on the highest stage.
From highlights to trades and other breaking news, check out our Locals In The NFL coverage here.
Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.
