Coach Sean McVay says the star receiver will still miss a significant stretch while the team preserves its limited IR return slots for other injured players.
The Rams are not placing Puka Nacua on injured reserve, even though the star wide receiver is expected to be sidelined for a significant period. Head coach Sean McVay told reporters Wednesday that the call came down to roster mechanics rather than the severity of Nacua's injuries.
Nacua suffered MCL and PCL sprains along with turf toe during the Rams' Week 9 game against the Washington Commanders. McVay initially estimated the receiver would miss at least a month, which made an IR stint look likely given the timeline. Instead, Los Angeles placed Jordan Whittington on injured reserve with a back injury, using up one of the team's limited return designations on him rather than Nacua.
That decision reflects just how many injuries the Rams have been managing this season, with the team apparently weighing which players are better served by an IR stint that includes a mandatory minimum absence against those who might return sooner on a normal practice and game-day timeline. For now, Nacua remains on the active roster without an official return window, leaving the Rams to navigate the receiver's absence while continuing to manage other injuries across the roster.