Los Angeles Rams standout rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua played through a rib injury Sunday, while passing the 1,000-yard receiving mark in a 36-19 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Despite what appeared to be a painful rib injury in the second quarter, Nacua returned after halftime as the Rams won their third consecutive game to move into the playoff picture in the NFC.
Nacua caught a 20-yard pass from Matthew Stafford midway through the second quarter and was shoved out of bounds by the Browns’ Mike Ford, landing on his right side. Nacua remained on the sideline where he was tended to by Rams medical personnel then walked off the field and into the locker room with his head down while holding his right rib cage with his left hand.
It had already been a busy first half for Nacua, who had four receptions for 105 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown for the Rams’ longest play of the season. Nacua became the first rookie wide receiver in Rams’ franchise history to reach 1,000 receiving yards. He has 1,029 yards.
Nacua, 22, was a fifth-round draft pick out of BYU and used an early-season four-game absence by Cooper Kupp to put a charge into the Los Angeles passing attack. He has 77 receptions and three touchdowns.
Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper also left to the locker room in the second quarter to be examined for a potential concussion and did not return. Cooper was sandwiched by two Rams defenders while dropping a pass late in the first quarter.
Cooper, 29, had three catches for 34 yards for the Browns before departing. The four-time Pro Bowler, in his second season with the Browns, has 50 receptions for 799 yards this season and two touchdowns.
–Field Level Media
