
The injury situation for the Los Angeles Rams may be worse than indicated on Wednesday.
Just one day after Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay said that placing star wide receiver Puka Nacua on injured reserve wasn't going to happen, the 5-4 Rams have done exactly that.
According to ESPN's NFL insider Adam Schefter, the star receiver has been placed on injured reserve, begging the question of just how serious the injury could be.
Rams placed WR Puka Nacua on injured reserve due to his MCL injury. HC Sean McVay has said he expects Nacua to miss “extended time.” pic.twitter.com/XAR4rutM0Q
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 13, 2026
The reasoning for Nacua not going on IR Wednesday was due to "roster mechanics." Something has changed, though, as Nacua being placed on IR signals that the injury could be worse than expected.
It is certainly a worrisome update and complete turn of events for Nacua, someone Los Angeles will desperately need back if it has any hopes of making a late-season playoff push.
Rams HC Sean McVay told reporters that the team will not place Puka Nacua on injured reserve due to roster mechanics, but that the WR still will be out for a “significant period of time.” pic.twitter.com/QggesIr2Nh
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 11, 2026
With one of the toughest remaining schedules in the NFL and Nacua possibly being out for longer than expected, where do the Rams turn for offense?
No. 2 receiver Davante Adams is out with a ruptured hamstring and won't be returning until Week 13 at the earliest. Without those two on the field, Los Angeles is likely going to have an extremely tough time moving the ball and scoring points.
If Nacua and Adams can return around the same time and get back on the field together, the Rams have the potential to put up points on any team and defense in the league. If not, though, the offensive firepower and scoring ability takes a major hit.
What was once supposed to be a dream season for the Rams has quickly turned into a nightmare that is far from being over.
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