After missing most of the preseason practice period with a knee injury, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua was able to play in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions. However, during the Sunday Night Football contest, Nacua injured his knee again, and he was visibly frustrated as he was carted off the field.
Now that his test results have come back, we have a better idea of Nacua’s injury and how long it will take him to recover.
Let’s break down what happened and when Nacua will be back.
What Is Puka Nacua’s Injury?
In early August, Nacua sustained a knee injury during a joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers. Nacua missed most of the preseason practice period, and Rams head coach Sean McVay described his injury as “a little bit of a bursa sac, kind of burst it.”
During the Rams-Lions game on Sunday Night Football, Nacua reinjured his knee midway through the second quarter after making one of his four catches.
Nacua limped off the field and tested his knee on the sidelines. He was briefly able to return, but he left the game shortly after and was carted back to the locker room.
On Monday afternoon, McVay told reporters that Nacua suffered a PCL sprain that required a stint on injured reserve.
How Long Will Nacua Be Sidelined?
Since the Rams placed Nacua on the IR list, he must miss at least the next four games. But just because Nacua can return in Week 6 doesn’t mean he will. McVay recently said that it’s possible Nacua will miss more than four games.
This lines up with a recent report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who reported that Nacua will be out closer to five to seven weeks. Also, it’s worth noting that the Rams have a Week 6 bye, so the earliest that Nacua can be back in the lineup is Week 7.
On the “Coach McVay Show,” the head coach admitted that he isn’t sure when Nacua will return.
“He’s got a Grade 2 PCL sprain. It’s the knee, it’s the same injury, it’s just a little bit more significant,” McVay said. “That’s a deal that you hate it for him because when you’re with him and he gets the information, you know how bad he wants to be out there with his teammates to contribute and be a part of this. It hurts him.
“He’s going to be back at some point, though, so that’s a positive. When that is, at what point, I don’t know. … It’ll at least be for a month.”
INJURY TRACKER: Stay Up-To-Date on the Latest NFL Injuries
We did get some good news on Wednesday, as Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reported that Nacua was seen working with the strength and conditioning staff to the side of the Rams’ walkthrough and wearing a compression sleeve on his right leg.
Even if Nacua is able to return after five weeks, the Rams may ease him back into his role rather than give him his usual number of targets right out of the gate.
Which Rams WRs Will Step Up In Nacua’s Absence?
With both Nacua and Cooper Kupp sidelined, the Rams will be relying on Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, and Tutu Atwell as their starting wide receivers. Here’s a breakdown of each wideout’s fantasy outlook entering Week 4.
Demarcus Robinson Fantasy Outlook
Robinson has seemingly distanced himself from the pack in Los Angeles, as he logged a 90% snap share in consecutive weeks. Of course, the value of that role is in question with Matthew Stafford determined to spread the ball around to keep defenses guessing.
If I had to take a chance on a receiver in this offense, it would be Robinson, but it’s simply a bet on playing time. I don’t have any confidence in this passing game in any matchup right now, let alone EPA’s third-best defense since the midway point of last season.
Tyler Johnson and Tutu Atwell Fantasy Outlook
Atwell made the big play last week (50-yard gain) and has seven catches over the past two weeks after being a no-show in the season opener when this roster was near full strength; meanwhile, Johnson has a pair of end-zone looks and has more receptions (10) than Atwell has targets (nine) this season.
If you’re playing in an ultra-deep league, I want the more physically gifted Johnson (four-inch height edge).
However, this game profiles as a Kyren Williams special. If that’s the case, it’s very possible that this offense doesn’t produce a top-35 receiver this weekend.