Rams pivot: Sean McVay explains why Puka Nacua was placed on IR and who replaced him

The Los Angeles Rams placed wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee/toe) on Injured Reserve Thursday, a roster move that McVay said was driven less by Nacua’s on-field status changing and more by the team’s immediate roster needs.

McVay had told reporters Wednesday that Nacua would remain on the active roster due to roster mechanics, while still expected to miss an extended period of time. On Friday, McVay said the decision to reverse course came because the Rams “needed the roster spot.”

The shift created an opening that the Rams used immediately. Wide receiver Brennan Presley was signed to the active roster from the practice squad, while wide receiver Tyler Scott was signed to the practice squad.

McVay tied the depth-chart constraints to the week’s broader personnel churn. He explained that without moving Nacua to IR, the Rams would have had only four wide receivers on their 53-man roster (including Tutu Atwell, CJ Daniels Jr., Konata Mumpfield, and Xavier Smith), with Jordan Whittington already placed on IR Tuesday and Davante Adams already on IR.

Because Nacua is on IR, McVay said his return timeline remains unchanged. The team indicated Nacua will miss at least the next four games, making Week 15 against the Cowboys the earliest he would be eligible to return.