The Los Angeles Rams defeated the New Orleans Saints handily in Week 9, but concerns swirled around wide receiver Puka Nacua once again. Rams head coach Sean McVay dissuaded those postgame.
Nacua exited the contest and was deemed questionable to return in the third quarter.
However, with the Rams up 27-10 at the time, and scoring another TD on the drive during which he was injured, LA erred on the side of caution with Nacua.
Sean McVay Clears Puka Nacua After Ramsâ Win
GettyPuka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams on the field after a win over the New Orleans Saints.
McVay confirmed postgame that Nacua suffered a rib injury, but he did not express any concerns about the wideout for the Ramsâ Week 10 contest on the road against the San Francisco 49ers.
âPukaâs good. I think heâs going to be good,â McVay told reporters on November 2. âHe got his ribs. He couldâve come back in the game, but we kind of had command, felt like it was the smart thing. And he couldâve come back in, but we kind of erred on the side of caution. Other guys stepped up and did a really nice job.â
The Rams had six other players catch passes on the day.
Nacua was healthy as a rookie, starting all 17 games for the Rams in 2023, en route to earning Pro Bowl honors. However, injuries have taken a toll over the past two seasons, including this season.
McVay spoke candidly when discussing Nacuaâs return to action from an ankle injury that he suffered in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens.
That injury forced him to sit out Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
âYou look at the things that are reflected, and why are we missing time if we are, and if theyâre preventable. Then letâs continuously look at that, and communicate that, and be able to pick and choose our spots. When youâre going up to try to break up a pass on a 50/50 ball and your ankle comes down weird, sometimes thereâs some freak things,â McVay told reporters on October 27.
âThe important thing ⦠is being mindful to the totality of the workload that weâre asking of him, and being cognizant of that through 17 games. And then, hopefully, you earn the right to be able to play after that.â
The Rams still have Davante Adams, and they utilized rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson as a downfield threat as well.
Still, Nacuaâs presence is good for everyone on the Rams.
Rams Face Resilient 49ers in Week 10
GettyMac Jones #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Rams could need Nacua in Week 10 against the 49ers, who are 6-3. They defeated the New York Giants in Week 9.
They also defeated the Rams 26-23 in overtime in Week 5 on âThursday Night Football.
Nacua had 10 receptions for 85 yards and 1 touchdown in that contest. The Rams would face an even greater challenge without Nacua, even with the 49ers navigating devastating injuries at multiple positions. Rams wideout Tutu Atwell is on injured reserve with a hamstring issue.
Still, this is the Ramsâ third straight win. It was their fourth in the past five games with a Week 8 bye preceding this victory over the Saints.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Rams Deliver Critical Update After Puka Nacua Suffers Injury vs Saints appeared first on Heavy Sports.