Rams receiver Puka Nacua tied the franchise record for 10-catch games on Sunday, with a 14-catch, 150-yard performance in a 20-13 win over the Commanders. But it was a rushing attempt that created a major potential problem for Nacua and the Rams.
Via ESPN, Nacua suffered a knee injury on the Rams’ final offensive snap of the game — a handoff to Nacua for a five-yard gain on third and 11.
For now, the Rams (per the report) do not believe Nacua suffered a torn ACL. He’ll have an MRI on Monday to assess the extent of the damage.
As one source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT, “We will see. Waiting on images.”
If Nacua misses any time, it will significantly hamper the Rams’ passing game. Davante Adams remains on injured reserve with a significant hamstring injury. The only other receivers to catch passes on Sunday were Konata Mumpfield (two for 20 yards) and Tutu Atwell (two for 16 yards).
The situation could put the eff-them-picks Rams in overdrive at the deadline, scouring any and all depth charts for help. And, in turn, driving up the price tag for anyone who may be available — from Josh Downs to Brian Thomas Jr. to anyone/everyone for whom the Rams would be willing to make an offer.
Next Sunday, the Rams visit the Cardinals. The Rams have a bye in Week 11.
Rams Clips
Welcome back, Myles Garrett.
The star edge rusher returned from a knee procedure and showed the difference he can make, racking up 3.0 sacks in the Rams’ 20-13 victory over the Commanders on Sunday afternoon.
Garrett’s first sack also forced a fumble, as he poked the ball out from quarterback Jayden Daniels in the second quarter. That led to a field goal late in the half, which cut Washington’s lead to 10-6 at halftime.
Garrett then had two more in the fourth quarter, one of which came after he’d just been flagged for an offside penalty.
While Garrett starred on defense, receiver Puka Nacua paced the offense with 14 catches for 150 yards with a touchdown. His 14 receptions are the third-most he’s had in a single game in his career. He also had a pair of carries for 20 yards.
The Commanders had a 10-6 lead at halftime from a 37-yard field goal and a 7-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels to Van Jefferson. The Rams got two field goals from Brandon McManus for their six points.
But the Rams were able to double up with a touchdown on their first drive of the second half. Blake Corum ran it in for a 1-yard score to cap an eight-play, 69-yard drive. And while a Matthew Stafford interception allowed the Commanders to tie the game at 13-13, Stanford then threw a touchdown to Nacua to put the Rams ahead for good.
Washington had a chance to at least tie the game late, but time ran out on their last drive.
Daniels finished the game 24-of-35 for 273 yards with a touchdown. He had four carries for 16 yards.
Stafford finished 26-of-43 for 228 yards with a TD and a pick.
At 5-4, the Rams are now above .500 for the first time this season and on a three-game winning streak. The team will be on the road to face division-rival Arizona next weekend before a Week 11 bye.
The Commanders have fallen to 2-5-1. They won’t have much time to think about their missed opportunities, as they’ll face the Giants on Thursday night in Week 10.
Puka Nacua continues to get it done.
With the Rams sporting a thin receiving corps, Nacua’s 14th catch of Sunday’s game against the Commanders went for a touchdown.
Los Angeles now leads Washington 20-13.
The Commanders were able to tie the game at 13-13 after Matthew Stafford tossed an interception in the third quarter in L.A. territory. Stafford was looking for Nacua on the sideline, but safety Nick Cross stepped into the throw’s path to pick it off.
But on the ensuing possession, the Rams used a 12-play, 65-yard drive to take the lead back. The club was able to pick up its first third-down conversion of the day to move the chains on third-and-5, third-and-11, and third-and-1 in the red zone.
Nacua had to go up to get the touchdown on second-and-goal but nevertheless came down with it.
On the injury front, Washington center Lucas Patrick has been downgraded to out with a concussion.
The Rams have pulled in front.
Los Angeles effectively doubled up against Washington, scoring a late field goal in the second quarter and a touchdown to start the third period to take a 13-10 lead.
Blake Corum capped the second scoring drive with a 2-yard TD run.
Corum has now scored in five consecutive games.
Getting the ball first out of halftime, the Rams started fast with a no-huddle approach on offense. Matthew Stafford connected with Puka Nacua for two consecutive throws to begin the possession — one for 12 yards and another for 15 yards.
Nacua, who has 11 catches so far, is now tied with Cooper Kupp on top of the franchise list with 13 games of at least 10 receptions.
Corum then had consecutive runs of 15 yards and 7 yards to put the team in scoring position.
A few plays later, Corum found his way into the end zone.
On the injury front, Rams guard Steve Avila (hamstring) has been downgraded to out.
Washington center Lucas Patrick is questionable to return with a concussion evaluation. Matt Glubin has come in at the position.
The Commanders have a 10-6 lead over the Rams at halftime.
Washington has attacked the Rams defense well, with Rachaad White rushing for 26 yards on six carries. He also took a key screen pass 45 yards to set up a score.
Jayden Daniels is 8-of-11 for 115 yards with a touchdown, connecting with Van Jefferson for a 7-yard score early in the second quarter.
But Myles Garrett, playing for the first time since Week 1, picked up a strip-sack in the second quarter to help limit Washington’s offense.
Offensively, the Rams have been ineffective on third down, going 0-of-7 in the category in the first half. The team has 149 yards of total offense and nine first downs.
Puka Nacua has nine receptions for 86 yards. But he also fumbled.
Matthew Stafford is 15-of-23 for 109 yards.
Rams guard Steve Avila is questionable to return with a hamstring injury.
L.A. will receive the second-half kickoff.
Deshaun Watson cleared concussion protocol on Saturday, but the Browns kept him listed as questionable to play against the Saints in New Orleans on Sunday.
Head coach Todd Monken announced on Friday that Shedeur Sanders would start under any circumstances and the Browns announced on Sunday morning that Watson is inactive. Dillon Gabriel will serve as the backup to Sanders with rookie Taylen Green serving as the emergency third quarterback.
Watson should be ready to go for the Browns’ Week 10 game against the Texans, although a big day for Sanders could lead to Monken having to make a decision about which way to go in the team’s final game before their bye week.
Browns at Saints
Browns: QB Deshaun Watson, QB Taylen Green, LB Justin Jefferson, CB Noah Igbinoghene, C Parker Brailsford≤ DT Maliek Collins
Saints: QB Zach Wilson, S Mike Reid, RB C.J. Donaldson, DL Christen Miller, LB Jaylan Ford, OL Mason Murphy, DL John Ridgeway
Broncos at Panthers
Broncos: QB Sam Ehlinger, S Talanoa Hufanga, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey, S Brandon Jones, CB Kris Abrams-Draine, OL Kage Casey, TE Dallen Bentley
Panthers: LB Jaelan Phillips, QB Haynes King, CB Will Lee, RB AJ Dillon, LB Bobby Okereke, G Damien Lewis, DT TeRah Edwards
Cowboys at Colts
Cowboys: LB DeMarvion Overshown, WR George Pickens, WR KaVontae Turpin, CB Joey Porter Jr., LB Tyrus Wheat, OL Ajani Cornelius, TE Luke Schoonmaker.
Colts: S A.J. Haulcy, CB Justin Walley, TE Pharaoh Brown, LB Akeem Davis-Gaiters, OL Charlie Heck, TE Will Mallory, QB Riley Leonard
Jets at Chiefs
Jets: WR Garrett Wilson, WR Tim Patrick, CB Nahshon Wright, LB Joseph Ossai, LB Trevon Wallace, OL Kohl Levao, OL Blake Freeland
Chiefs: CB Mansoor Delane, QB Garrett Nussmeier, FB Ben VanSumeren, DE Jack Pyburn, OT Diego Pounds, DT Peter Woods
Lions at Dolphins
Lions: CB D.J. Reed, DE DJ Wonnum, C Cade Mays, RB Jacob Saylors, TE Jordan Meeks, DL Mekhi Wingo, DE Ahmed Hassanein
Dolphins: RB Jaylen Wright, WR Jalen Tolbert, TE Justin Joly, G Christian Haynes, OL Chukwuebuka Godrick, CB Marcellas Dial, CB Reese Taylor
Giants at Eagles
Giants: RB Cam Skattebo, CB Colton Hood, CB Nikko Reed, OL Marcus Mbow, TE Thomas Fidone, OL Josh Sills, DT C.J. Okoye
Eagles: WR DeVonta Smith, LB Jihaad Campbell, WR Dontayvion Wicks, CB Jonathan Jones, DB Michael Carter, WR Britain Covey
Rams at Commanders
Rams: CB Trent McDuffie, QB Ty Simpson, LS Joe Cardona, LB Darryl Peterson, OL Bill Murray, OL Keagan Trost, LB Desjuan Johnson
Commanders: WR Treylon Burks, QB Athan Kaliakmanis, CB Fabian Moreau, CB Isaac Yiadom, G Tanoa Togiai
The Commanders are activating defensive tackle Johnny Newton from injured reserve, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports.
Newton has spent the season on IR after tearing a pectoral muscle in the preseason.
He returned to practice Oct. 28, opening his 21-day window.
Newton was limited in the Week 7 practices. He returned to full participation this week and had a questionable designation.
He missed only one game over his first two seasons and totaled 82 tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes defensed.
Myles Garrett is officially back on the Rams’ active roster.
The Rams announced on Saturday that they have activated Garrett from injured reserve. Head coach Sean McVay had already confirmed that the linebacker will play for the first time since Week 1 and the roster move clears the way for him to take the field against the Commanders on Sunday.
Running back Ronnie Rivers will also be available after being activated from injured reserve. Tight end Terrance Ferguson was expected back as well, but was scratched on Friday with a hamstring injury.
Cornerback Jaylen Watson will not play as he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. He was placed on injured reserve Saturday and the Rams also elevated long snapper Jake McQuaide and cornerback Damarion Williams from the practice squad.
Rams safety Quentin Lake got plenty of attention for comments he made about intercepting a pass thrown by Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, but on reflection, Lake didn’t like the attention he generated.
Lake told the Los Angeles Times that he reached out to Herbert to apologize.
On a podcast hosted by Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lake laughed about how confident the Rams were heading into the game with the Chargers, seeing how much Herbert has been struggling this season.
“He was throwing deli meat out there,” Lake said on the podcast. “He’s seeing ghosts. I don’t know what’s going on, but we knew we were gonna get a couple. At least one.”
Lake and St. Brown were high school teammates, and Lake said that in the moment, he just felt like he was joking around with an old friend. When he saw how far his comments spread, however, Lake felt bad that he came across as disrespecting an opponent. Lake said he texted Herbert but hasn’t heard back from him.
“I don’t know if he read it,” Lake said. “He probably says, ‘I don’t care about it anymore. I’m not trying to see this. It doesn’t matter. You said what you said.’ But at the same time I . . . felt like it was right for me to at least say,’ Hey, man, I didn’t mean it in any disrespectful way.’”
Lake said he considers Herbert “a great quarterback” despite his struggles this season.
Rams defensive end Myles Garret and defensive tackle Aaron Donald will finally be on the field together Sunday in Washington, and Garrett says that’s going to be bad news for opposing offenses for the rest of the season.
Donald did not play in Week 1 because he was still ramping up for the season after returning from his two-year retirement, and Garret hasn’t played since Week 1 because of knee surgery. Garrett said the two of them together, two multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year award winners side by side, will present a unique challenge for opposing offenses.
“I think offenses really have to pick their poison. Who’s going to be freed up this play? I think either of us are pretty good at winning one-on-one, so we’ll have some fun,” Garrett said. “Going into this season I never thought I’d have the chance, and as you all know he kept us in suspense for quite a while, so it was very exciting, and I’m looking forward to getting on the field and playing some real snaps with him.”
Garrett said his poor performance in Week 1 against the 49ers showed him he needed knee surgery, something he would have preferred to avoid.
“I was frustrated after the game. I knew that wasn’t me, and I was being hampered by something,” Garrett said. “I didn’t want to miss any time, but I had to be realistic about where I was physically, and I had to make the best choice for me and the team.”
But now Garrett is back, and he said he and Donald playing together can give the Rams an “elite defense” for the rest of the season.
