Sean McVay provides Puka Nacua injury update – Deseret News

When BYU played Arizona on Saturday, Puka Nacua was one of several former Cougar greats who showed up at LaVell Edwards Stadium in support.

When might the Los Angeles Rams' second-year wide receiver — who has been sidelined since suffering an injury in Week 1 — return to the field for his NFL team?

To be determined.

Rams coach Sean McVay gave a small update on Nacua on Monday, saying he doesn't expect Nacua to practice this week, according to the team's website.

Nacua was placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury, a PCL sprain, in Los Angeles' season opener against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 8, the Deseret News reported.

If he went to IR, the earliest he could have returned was Week 5, when Los Angeles lost to the Green Bay Packers.

Initial estimates were that Nacua would be out five to seven weeks with the injury, according to ESPN, with the most optimistic hope being that he could return after the team's bye week – which took place last week.

The Rams, who are 1-4, play the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in Week 7 of the NFL season at SoFi Stadium.

The 23-year-old Nacua, who set NFL rookie records for receptions and receiving yards last season, should be a key part of the Rams' offense this season and one of the league's young stars.

He was injured in the second quarter of the Rams' 26-20 loss to the Lions. While Nacua briefly returned to the game after initially being eliminated, he was carted off the field at halftime and never returned.

Nacua had four catches for 35 yards before the injury.

McVay gave updates Monday on several injured Rams players, including fellow star wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who is dealing with an ankle injury but could be available for this week's game, according to the coach. Kupp was scheduled to have a workout Monday to determine his availability, McVay told reporters.

When discussing Nacua and offensive lineman Steve Avila, who is dealing with a knee injury, McVay said, “They’re still a little ways away. That's exactly what this timeline is. … Reggie (Scott, Rams vice president of sports medicine and performance) and his group are working tirelessly to get these guys back.

“So we'll be very excited to see the opportunity open up for these guys to start training and then find out what it looks like when they get back into potential competition and do their thing for us.”