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Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay says there is “no threat” that injured wide receiver Puka Nacua will be sidelined for the Sept. 8 season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.
McVay described the knee injury as “week to week” but said it would not impact Nacua’s prep for Week 1 of the regular season, per ESPN’s Sarah Barshop.
“Really just had a little bit of a bursa sac, kind of burst it,” McVay said, per Barshop. “And it’s just going to be week-to-week with him. Nothing serious, nothing structurally. He’ll be in good shape, and he’ll recover and we’ll be ready to go. No threat of anything for Detroit.”
McVay said Nacua’s injury occurred when the wide receiver’s knee was “banged up” on a touchdown catch during Sunday’s practice, Barshop reported.
The news that Nacua is not expected to miss time will come as a relief for the Rams. Nacua’s ability to start all 17 games during his record-breaking rookie season was a key reason the team made it back into the playoff picture last spring.
The injury could impact the Rams’ ability to prepare for the regular season, however, given that several players will not be able to join the team for training camp due to various injuries.
The list of Rams players currently impacted by injuries includes defensive tackle Braden Fiske, right tackle Rob Havenstein, left tackle Alaric Jackson, left guard Jonah Jackson and cornerback Darious Williams. Cornerback Derion Kendrick has additionally been sidelined on a longer-term basis after suffering season-ending ACL tear.
McVay and the Rams will hope to get Nacua back as soon as possible in order to see the second-year wideout build on the 1,486 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns he racked up during his rookie season.
