The Los Angeles Rams just can't seem to stay healthy.
Superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua has been placed on the Rams' injured reserve with an MCL injury, it was announced Thursday.
According to head coach Sean McVay, Nacua is expected to miss "extended time."
Nacua suffered the injury on Sunday in the Rams' 20-13 win over the Washington Commanders after dealing with sprained ligaments in his right knee and turf toe. The incident occurred in the fourth quarter after taking a hard tackle on a jet sweep.
He was spotted wearing a brace on his knee after the game, and McVay said that an MRI revealed sprains to Nacua's MCL and PCL along with turf toe, a sprain in the big toe.
He joins fellow wide receiver Davante Adams on the IR, who has been out since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 6.
The 25-year-old leads the Rams in receiving with 70 catches for 715 yards and four touchdowns through his seven games this season.
Nacua won't be eligible to return from IR before the Rams host the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 20. He already missed the Rams' Week 2 and 3 games with a hip injury.
A season of heavy injury losses has depleted the Rams' roster flexibility heading into the second half of the regular season.
The Rams have already activated three players from injured reserve, including All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett, and they have said they intend to activate Adams, defensive tackle Kobie Turner and tight end Terrance Ferguson before the season ends. If those moves happen and Nacua also returns, the Rams will have just one additional opportunity to designate a player to return from injured reserve in the regular season.
The Rams (5-4) are third in the NFC West and will visit the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday for a divisional showdown.
-With files from The Associated Press
