The Los Angeles Rams might have to wait slightly longer than expected for Puka Nacua’s return.
After being placed on injured reserve earlier this week, Nacua could potentially be out until Week 9 depending on how the PCL strain in his knee heals, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday on NFL GameDay Morning, per sources informed of the situation.
Nacua is out for at least the next four games while on IR and the Rams have a bye in Week 6. Rapoport reported that if Nacua's not ready by that bye week, he might miss L.A.'s following two games -- Week 7 versus the Raiders followed by a Thursday night matchup against the Vikings in Week 8.
Rapoport added that the goal is for Nacua to heal completely after aggravating the same tendon twice, thus meaning his return might have to wait until Nov. 3's Week 9 game versus the Seahawks.
The Rams star wide receiver exited L.A.’s 26-20 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions with the injury. Nacua went into the medical tent and was deemed questionable. He returned briefly to the field, however he was shortly after taken to the locker room by cart and did not return.
In the defeat, Nacua had four catches for 35 yards, his lowest receiving yards total since Week 12 of the 2023 season.
In 2023, Nacua burst into the scene when Cooper Kupp missed the first four games of the year. Nacua seemed to fit perfectly and had a strong chemistry with Matthew Stafford. Nacua finished his record-setting rookie season totaling 105 receptions and 1,486 yards with six touchdowns.
Nacua’s second season is being put on hold with the PCL injury after he played in all 17 regular season games in 2023. Entering the 2024 campaign, Nacua was sidelined for multiple weeks during training camp after sustaining a knee injury.
With Nacua limited, veteran Tyler Johnson stepped up and tied his career high with five receptions and 79 receiving yards in Week 1. Johnson is expected to have a bigger role now with Nacua expected to miss more time than the expected four games, per Rapoport.
Los Angeles will begin its journey without Nacua on Sunday when the Rams face the Arizona Cardinals.