Rams WR Puka Nacua leaves OT loss to Lions early with knee injury

Puka Nacua left Sunday’s overtime loss to the Detroit Lions early with a knee injury.

The Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver appeared to first sustain the injury in the first half of their 26-20 loss to the Lions at Ford Field. He briefly returned, but then left the game again to meet with medical trainers.

Nakua was able to walk on the sideline but left the game on the cart.

The Rams announced after halftime that he would not return to the game.

Further details of Nacua’s injury weren’t initially clear. The Lions led 10-3 at halftime and pushed their lead to 17-3 before the Rams rallied all the way back to force the extra period. Lions running back David Montgomery, however, ran in a one-yard touchdown on their first drive of overtime to seal the six-point win for Detroit.

Nacua, 23, burst onto the scene as one of the biggest surprises of the 2023 season. A fifth-round rookie out of BYU, Nacua emerged as the Rams’ No. 1 receiving option and one of the most productive receivers in the NFL last season. He finished the season with 105 catches for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl honors in the process.

With Nacua alongside a healthy Cooper Kupp following two injury-plagued seasons, the Rams entered 2024 with one of the NFL’s most promising wide receiver tandems. A long-term injury would be a significant blow to the Rams’ offense as they look to compete for their fourth playoff appearance in five seasons.