Rams coach Sean McVay questions play call after Puka Nacua's injury
Wide receiver Puka Nacua will be placed on injured reserve after sustaining knee and toe injuries, and coach Sean McVay said he repeatedly re-examines the decision that led to the play.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is headed to injured reserve following MCL, PCL and turf toe injuries suffered on the team's final offensive play in Sunday’s win over Washington. The injuries occurred when Nacua was tackled after a five-yard rush on third-and-11.
At a Monday press conference, head coach Sean McVay said he has been “kicking myself about those kinds of things” and that the situation is something the Rams must consider internally as they move forward.
“I’d be lying to you if I said I haven’t questioned the decision-making on that last play over and over in my head of what could have been another option that you felt like could have gotten a conversion, and maybe ended the game that would’ve led to him not taking a violent hit to his right knee,” McVay said. “It’s stuff that I feel tremendous responsibility for, and we’ve got to be able to figure out how to protect these guys while also putting them in positions that help our team and allow them to shine. He’s a guy we have to be intentional about because it’s a bummer. Because he can do so much, you want to make sure you don’t take that for granted.”
With Nacua and fellow receiver Davante Adams now unavailable for an indefinite period, the Rams could look to add receiving talent before the trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Their recent trades have already cost them several future draft selections.