The Los Angeles Rams placed Puka Nacua on injured reserve Thursday, sidelining the wide receiver for at least their next four games.
Nacua injured ligaments in his knee and toe on the final offensive play of last week’s win at Washington.
The All-Pro receiver has 70 receptions for 715 yards and four touchdowns in seven games this season. He will not be eligible to return before the Rams host the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 20, The Associated Press reported.
Los Angeles (5-4) will be without its top two receivers for at least the next two games. Davante Adams will miss his fourth straight game with a hamstring injury when the Rams visit the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, but he hopes to return later in the season.
The Rams had four healthy wide receivers on their 53-man roster before promoting Brennan Presley from the practice squad Thursday. They also signed Tyler Scott to the practice squad. Earlier in the week, they signed Xavier Smith from the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad after placing Jordan Whittington on injured reserve with a back injury.
Before the trade deadline Monday, coach Sean McVay said other players would be asked to step up. He said Nacua’s production and contributions in the run game helped explain his large share of targets, and that other players would have an opportunity to contribute.
NFL teams can designate up to eight players to return from injured reserve in a season. The Rams have already designated Myles Garrett, Keagen Trost and Ronnie Rivers, and have said they intend to activate Adams, Kobie Turner and Terrance Ferguson before the season ends. If those three and Nacua return, Los Angeles would have one further return designation available in the regular season.
