Despite a mini-BYE, the Rams suffer yet another injury to this star player

The LA Rams plan for Weeks 8 and 9 seemed sound enough. The team had a Week 6 BYE, emerged relatively healthy (compared to pre-BYE) enough to eek by the Las Vegas Raiders. On a short week, the team brought back both injured wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua to compete in Week 8 for a thrilling Thursday Night Football victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Then after a long week (10 days) of rest and renewed practice, the team would be ready to face the Seattle Seahawks on the road.

So much for sound plans, eh?

Out of the blue, a Rams star wide receiver reportedly suffered another knee injury. To recap, the knee was a problem for Puka Nacua in the offseason, and throughout the early part of the season. Before competing in Week 8, Nacua only had a brief appearance in Week 1.

Will it be a problem once again?

The persistency of injuries and bad luck seems to be a recurring theme for the LA Rams this season.

Currently, Puka Nacua is listed as limited practice and is questionable in this week's injury report. So it's not quite 'The sky is falling!' status yet. And that ray of optimism and hope grew brighter as NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported on his status.

But the team definitely needs Nacua. He caught seven of nine passes thrown his way in his first game back in Week 8 to help lead the Rams to a desperately needed victory over the Minnesota Vikings. His 106 receiving yards were augmented by two rushes for five yards in that contest.

Plus there is the matter of numerous sensational blocks made to spring teammates free.

The situation is not dire. If the Rams must limit their usage of Nacua in Week 9, the team certainly has proven to have a number of talented receivers who simply need to have their number dialed up in this offense to put up impressive yards. But it continues to raise concerns over the team's durability at the wide receiver position at a minimum.

Here is an update from NFL Insider Ian Rapoport on the matter:

That has been confirmed by Rams HC Sean McVay:

Perhaps the Rams receivers, quite adept at blocking, are not quite built to be solely responsible for sealing the edge against linebackers and defensive ends. After all, the team is entering Week 9, and per Lineups.com, this team has thrown 12-personnel onto the football field just 15 percent of the offensive snaps.

And that statistic includes short yardage and goal line situations too. So even as the Rams loaded up the shelves with tight ends, that option is not exactly on the menu at the mid-season mark. And after another injury scare to one of the team's top producing wide receivers, it's probably time that they do.

As always, thank for reading

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