Everything Sean McVay said about Rams' Puka Nacua, Steve Avila injuries

Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua will likely land on injured reserve with MCL and PCL strains to his right knee as well as turf toe, head coach Sean McVay told reporters on Monday. Nacua suffered the injury on the Rams' final offensive play against the Commanders, when he was hit hard on a jet sweep. Nothing seemed amiss when he got up and left the field, but reports of the injury later surfaced.

More bad news: left guard Steve Avila left the game after aggravating his hamstring, which he first injured in Week 8 against the Chargers. McVay expects him to miss "a little bit of time." It sounds like multiple weeks.

Sean McVay on Puka Nacua

Nacua's timeline to return: "He's going to miss a good amount of time. … I'm reluctant to put too much of a timetable, but I'll say it's a strong chance that we put him on IR. So we're thinking it's going to be at least a month."

On the playcall, a third-and-11 run for Nacua that would have iced the game if successful: "I'd be lying to you if I said I haven't questioned the decision-making on that play over and over in my head and what could have been another option to get the conversion without him taking a violent hit."

Nacua gained 15 yards on an end-around earlier in the game where he was able to get outside rather than having to cut back in. This time, it didn't work quite so well. Fortunately, he avoid an ACL injury.

Sean McVay on Steve Avila

On Avila's chances of heading to IR: "We're getting to be where that number [of players on IR] is getting so high that we're going to run out of those eight to be able to return. And so that's not something that we're trying to do right now. I certainly wouldn't say it's a zero chance, but we're hoping to avoid that as of right now."

What Rams' WR and OL rotations looks like in the aftermath

At receiver, the Rams are left with a hodgepodge of veterans and young players: Tutu Atwell, Konata Mumpfield, Jordan Whittington, and rookie CJ Daniels. McVay said Whittington is still managing some back soreness. He did say Daniels would be more involved moving forward, a welcome indication for Rams fans eager to see the sixth-rounder in action. 

McVay didn't have any concrete updates as to when Davante Adams might return from IR. Based on his timetable, he'll likely remain sidelined until December.

It's all too obvious that the Rams need to add receiver depth before the trade deadline at 1 PM PT later today. 

On the offensive line, McVay tagged Beaux Limmer as Avila's replacement. Limmer filled in when Avila left against the Commanders and finished with 57 offensive snaps. McVay said the team "could" look to activate guard Justin Dedich off IR, but he didn't sound enthusiastic.

Elsewhere on the interior, well-traveled veteran Bill Murray is also an option. If Avila can avoid IR, the Rams can buy him an extra week with their upcoming bye. Best-case scenario, he only misses Week 10 at Arizona and is back in time for LA's clash with the Packers on November 25. 

As McVay referenced, the NFL allows teams to designate a maximum of eight players to return from IR. The Rams have already done so with OT Keagen Trost, RB Ronnie Rivers, Myles Garrett, and Terrance Ferguson. Ferguson injured his hamstring in practice late last week and will need additional recovery time.

DT Kobie Turner is also a candidate to return, as are Nacua and Adams. That's already seven players, not counting Dedich. 

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