Nacua left the Browns game midway through the second quarter and came back after the break.
Puka Nacua has an AC sprain in his shoulder, which Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed on Monday via Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. However, it appears that the tough receiver won’t be able to play this weekend against the Baltimore Ravens.
When Los Angeles Rams rookie standout wide receiver Puka Nacua was helped off the field in the second quarter with what appeared to be a serious injury, there was a collective “gasp” at SoFi stadium on Sunday. Fortunately for LA, Nacua was able to play again and contribute to his team’s victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Nacua might be somewhat limited this week in practice to help with the injury, according to McVay, who also said:
“We might be smart with him early on in the week but don’t expect that to affect his ability to be ready to go.”
Los Angeles needs their best players on the field to defeat the 9-3 Baltimore Ravens, who are leading the AFC, and Nacua has been that player for them. Play after play like his 70-yard touchdown catch in the Browns game, the rookie has been explosive.
Nacua has set a franchise record for the Rams in terms of receptions and receiving yards by a rookie in a single season with 77 receptions, 1,029 yards, and four touchdowns this season. In his rookie season, he became the first player in franchise history to surpass 1,000 yards receiving.
Throughout the entire season, Nacua’s physical play and toughness have been noteworthy. He has been able to play despite a number of injuries, including some knee swelling in the last few weeks and a rib injury he sustained against Seattle in Week 1.
Following the game, McVay commented on Nacua’s resilience, saying:
“It was his shoulder and his rib. I mean, what an unbelievable catch he makes on the sideline. I thought he was dead and then he comes back to life,” McVay continued “Can I say that anymore? I don’t know what I can say, but he is such a tough competitor. The way he battles through things, the physicality at which he plays this game. He brings an energy to our team that I think you can all feel when you watch. It’s why he’s so fun as a competitor, whether he’s got the ball, whether he doesn’t have the ball.”
Nacua is beginning to get close to becoming an NFL season hero, and he might be among the best draft selections of the McVay/Snead era. Nacua will set the rookie receiver record for the most receiving yards in a single season in the NFL if he averages 89 yards per game the remainder of the way.