Why Rams didn't acquire a receiver before trade deadline after Puka Nacua, Davante Adams injuries

Numerous stories had linked the Los Angeles Rams with wide receivers who reportedly were available to other clubs ahead of the NFL trade deadline before Los Angeles' Puka Nacua suffered a sprained MCL, a sprained PCL and a turf toe injury late in the Rams' 20-13 win at the Washington Commanders on Nov. 8. 

However, the Rams did not acquire a noteworthy pass-catcher before the deadline passed on Tuesday afternoon. For a piece published on Wednesday morning, ESPN's Dan Graziano addressed the Rams' inactivity. 

Rams "were always going to have a tough time" making a trade this fall

"Because of the Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie trades, the Rams are extremely short on future draft capital relative to the other teams that were looking to add," Graziano wrote. "The Rams have only four picks in next year's draft. They're without their first-, third- and seventh-round picks in 2027. They're also without their second-round pick in 2028 and their third-round pick in 2029 because of the Garrett trade. Frankly, they made their big moves in the offseason and were always going to have a tough time doing one at the deadline."

Keenan Allen and Josh Downs of the Indianapolis Colts, along with Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Brian Thomas Jr., were among the players previously linked with the Rams. Allen and Downs were traded elsewhere on Tuesday, while the Jaguars elected to keep Thomas. 

As for the Rams, Davante Adams suffered a ruptured hamstring in Week 6 that reportedly could keep him out of action for roughly 6-10 weeks. Meanwhile, a Monday report noted that Nacua was set to miss at least the Rams' next four games while on injured reserve. It sounds like Nacua's setbacks may not be as worrisome as first thought. 

When could Rams get Puka Nacua back?

"Being on IR means you must miss at least four games, not weeks, and the Rams have a bye in Week 11," Graziano added. "So, if they think it's possible Nacua might only have to miss four weeks, they could refrain from putting him on IR and possibly have him back in time for their Week 14 game at San Francisco. This all becomes moot if they put Nacua on IR this week, but just keep an eye on the situation if they don't. Speaking to people close to this situation on Monday evening, they were very adamant that Nacua's injury isn't season-ending and that they hope to get him back around that Week 14, Week 15 time."

For now, the 5-4 Rams know they'll be without their top two receivers when they play at the 3-6 Arizona Cardinals this coming Sunday. From there, Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay can spend portions of the bye hoping that at least some of his players get healthy.