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

Puka Nacua was forced to avoid an early overtime defeat against the Detroit Lions on Sunday due to a knee injury.

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

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

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

Further details about Nacua’s injury were initially unclear. The Lions led 10-3 at halftime and extended their lead to 17-3 before the Rams came all the way back to force overtime. However, Lions running back David Montgomery ran for a one-yard touchdown on their first drive of overtime to secure Detroit’s six-point victory.

Nacua, 23, emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the 2023 season. A rookie fifth-round pick out of BYU, Nacua emerged as the Rams’ top receiver 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.

With Nacua alongside a healthy Cooper Kupp after two injury-riddled seasons, the Rams enter 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 attempt to contend for their fourth playoff appearance in five seasons.