Puka Nacua's Injury Leaves Sean McVay Questioning One Costly Decision In Los Angeles Rams' Win

Puka Nacua limps off as the Los Angeles Rams survive Washington, and Sean McVay owns the blame.© Image via: X/@NFL_DovKleiman

Fourteen catches. 150 yards. One touchdown. Puka Nacua owned the afternoon in Washington, and then the Los Angeles Rams asked him to run one more play. A third-and-11 jet sweep gained five yards, kept the clock moving and closed out a 20-13 win over the Washington Commanders. It twisted his right knee. Nacua stayed on the ground, grimacing, until teammates helped him up. Sean McVay faced the fallout on Monday, and he did not sound like a coach who had just won. The news he shared about his star receiver should worry every Rams fan.

Sean McVay Questions The Jet Sweep

Jeremy Reaves and Sonny Styles dragged Nacua down near the Commanders' 46-yard line. Any running play would have burned the same seconds. Nacua had also visited the blue tent for concussion protocol earlier in the game, so the choice looks harder to defend now. McVay saw that, and he said so.

"I'm kicking myself about those kinds of things," McVay said about the jet sweep call.

Rams WR Puka Nacua is likely to be placed injured reserve due to MCL and PCL sprains, per HC Sean McVay. https://t.co/ONNnk78zbt

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 9, 2026

"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. And so it's stuff that I feel tremendous responsibility for. 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 be able to shine."

Puka Nacua Injury Leaves The Los Angeles Rams Thin

An MRI showed MCL and PCL strains plus turf toe. McVay expects an injured reserve move, which means four games minimum. The Week 11 bye does not count, so Week 15 against the New York Jets is the earliest return.

This is not Nacua's first setback. He missed two games in September with a groin injury, sat out part of training camp with a core muscle problem and strained a calf late last month. His physical style makes him hard to cover, and it also makes him hard to keep healthy.

Davante Adams is still out with a hamstring injury, and guard Steve Avila will miss significant time too. Matthew Stafford now throws to Tutu Atwell, Konata Mumpfield, Jordan Whittington, CJ Daniels and tight end Tyler Higbee.

"I'm bummed for Puka," McVay said. "I feel for him. I feel for all of our players that are getting these kinds of injuries. It's challenging, but it's an opportunity for us to adjust and adapt. The game's gonna be played, but you feel for the players first and foremost."

The Rams are 5-4, with the San Francisco 49ers sitting at 7-1 atop the NFC West.