New information related to the injury of LA Rams WR Puka Nacua indicates that it may not be as serious as originally feared.
The LA Rams certainly have been snakebit of late. With now eight projected starters injured, fans have been a bit sensitive to any new reports of injuries. Two new injuries were reported during the LA Rams joint practice session with the Los Angeles Chargers. The first was more precautionary, as the team pulled rookie defensive tackle Braden Fiske from the session to avoid aggravating a sizeable blister that he has been dealing with.
The second was a bit more alarming.
After a play made on a pass play in the corner of the end zone, second-year WR Puka Nacua was slow to rise from the play. Per multiple reports, he did not play after that point in the game. Instead, he was spotted in his uniform on the sidelines with a bag of ice wrapped on what was presumed to be his injured knee.
Without any confirmation from HC Sean McVay, there is a void of answers about the injury that has allowed speculative and worst-case answers to form among fans. So let’s try to help fill in the unknown with what we may know:
What we may know, and do know
Okay, so what do we know? Well, let’s be pragmatic about this injury. Unlike the type that have ended seasons, or even sent players to the trainer’s office for diagnostic imaging, this injury falls into the relatively minor category. How can I conclude that? Well, for starters, reports indicate that Puka Nacua did get himself up off the football field by jogging to the sidelines. So that is our first clue:
But even more telling is the fact that Nacua remained completed garbed as a football player who wants to return to the football field. He remained in uniform, helmet in hand, with the only indication of injury being the bag of ice taped to his knee.
It’s the frequency of injuries that have fans on the edge of their seats. This team learned of Nacul’s knee and Fiske’s blister for the first time at the Rams-Chargers joint practice. But they join three starting offensive linemen; LT Alaric Jackson, LG Jonah Jackson, and RT Rob Havenstein, all of whom are described to be ‘week to week.’
Starting DB Darious Williams is nursing a hamstring injury, and will need time to recover. He joined young DB Derion Kendrick who suffered an ACL injury and is lost for the 2024 NFL season. And starting TE Tyler Higbee continues to recover from his ACL injury, hoping to return to the team after the season has gotten underway.
While we await confirmation as to the severity and expected timetable of Puka Nacua’s injury, this latest bit of information suggests that any new update may wind up in the better than expected category.
The Rams injuries, though numerous, remain under control for the time being. As Rams Head Coach Sean McVay describes the numerous injury experience, it has allowed ‘force activization’ for the team by promoting depth players to prominent starting roles. All experience gained at this time of the season is great experience.
And as always, thank you for reading.
