The Los Angeles Rams will be without wide receiver Puka Nacua, who is headed to injured reserve after hurting his knee in Sunday's loss to the Washington Commanders. The injury came on the Rams' final offensive play of the game, a jet sweep in which Nacua was carrying the ball.
Head coach Sean McVay did not hide from the decision. Speaking to the media on Monday, he said he was "kicking himself" over the call and the way it turned out, adding that he had questioned the decision "over and over" and wondered whether another option could have produced a conversion and a game-ending result without exposing Nacua to a violent hit to his right knee. He also said he felt "tremendous responsibility" and that the staff has to work out how to protect key players while still putting them in positions to help the team.
The timing is poor for a Rams team that is 5-4 and one game behind the Green Bay Packers for the final NFC Wild Card spot. Four of their next five opponents are also playoff contenders, so the Rams will have to win those games without their leading receiver.
The reporting does not establish the medical timeline beyond the IR move, and McVay's comments are about his own decision-making rather than any change to the offensive plan. The question for the Rams is whether they can keep their margin for error intact while managing the cost of that last call.
