Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s 20-13 win at Washington. According to ProFootballDoc, Nacua likely avoided a major injury such as an ACL tear, with the concern instead being a contusion (bone bruise) or a hyperextension of the knee. That read is Chao’s outside analysis of the video, not a team diagnosis as Nacua will undergo an MRI on Monday
A bone bruise and a hyperextension are different problems with overlapping timelines. A contusion is a bruise to the bone beneath the cartilage that can leave a knee sore and swollen for weeks, while a hyperextension strains the ligaments and capsule at the back of the knee and can range from mild to a significant sprain. Both are usually confirmed by MRI, and the result will determine whether Nacua is available when Los Angeles visits the Cardinals next Sunday, November 15.
Puka Nacua Injury History
Nacua has an established knee history. In August 2024, he hurt his right knee in a joint practice with the Chargers when he landed on a bursa sac and was considered week to week. He reaggravated it in the 2024 season opener at Detroit, was carted off, and was placed on injured reserve with a PCL sprain, missing six games before returning in Week 8. On October 31, 2024, he left practice with a knee issue in the same knee, but coach Sean McVay said there was no structural damage and Nacua played. Last season, on October 12, he left a game against the Ravens in the second quarter with a foot injury, was listed as questionable, and returned in the third quarter. Reports also note a broken foot and an ankle injury in college.
Nacua has been the centerpiece of the Rams’ passing attack, so any absence would put more pressure on the rest of the receiving group. The key updates are the team’s diagnosis, whether an MRI confirms a bone bruise or a hyperextension, and his practice status this week ahead of Arizona.
