Puka Nacua has been a revelation during his rookie campaign, but the Los Angeles Rams wide receiver appears to suffer an injury against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. What happened to Nacaua in Week 13, and what’s his current injury status?
Puka Nacua Injury Update
Nacua initially went down midway through the second quarter with cramps and was listed as questionable to return. After going to the locker room, Nacua ran back onto the field for a 1st-and-10 play from the Rams’ 11-yard line.
Nacua hauled in a 20-yard pass from Matthew Stafford, but he landed on his right shoulder. He stayed down on the field and appeared to be in pain while trainers and head coach Sean McVay examined him.
#Rams WR Puka Nacua lands hard on his right shoulder on this play.
The rookie sensation is now in the locker room. pic.twitter.com/aUhzgH4QZF
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 3, 2023
Nacua was eventually able to walk off the field and head to Los Angeles’ locker room, but he was favoring his right shoulder. The FOX broadcast reported that the fifth-round pick was in tears as he entered the tunnel to the locker room.
However, there was at least some optimism regarding Nacua’s injury, as the Rams listed him as questionable to return. Notably, he was dealing with a rib injury, not a shoulder issue.
MORE: Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart
Fortunately, Nacua returned to the Los Angeles’ Week 13 game at the start of the second quarter. The Rams appear to have averted a disaster.
Nacua posted four catches for 105 yards and a touchdown before departing, continuing his unprecedented rookie season. Nacua entered Sunday ranked 11th in receptions (73) and eighth in yards (924) while scoring three TDs, giving the Rams an excellent offensive triumvirate alongside fellow WR Cooper Kupp and RB Kyren Willaims.
While LA’s defense has performed better than expected this season, the 5-6 Rams’ playoff hopes are pinned on their high-upside offense. If Nacua’s injury had been serious, Los Angeles might have had trouble making noise in the NFC Wild Card race.
What Would the Rams’ Offense Look Like Without Nacua?
Nacua led the league in targets and receptions through the first four weeks of the season but has cooled off considerably since Kupp returned to the lineup.
If Nacua misses any time in the near future while dealing with this injury, Kupp will get an instant bump back into WR1 consideration. At the same time, Tutu Atwell and Demarcus Robinson may also see a slight increase as the complementary second and third options in LA’s passing game.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Derek Tate
