As the Los Angeles Rams suffer their first league defeat of the season, they will also be without a key offensive playmaker for the next four games.

Puka Nacua, who played in his debut season for the Rams last year, has been placed on the injured list after aggravating a knee injury in overtime of the Rams’ 26-20 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 1.

Head coach Sean McVay announced Monday that he has a PCL sprain and that the team will not test for it at the start of the season.

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) runs away from Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Ford Field. (David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports)

Nacua’s injury occurred midway through the second quarterback play when he made a catch. He was seen limping off the field, where he went into the blue medical tent on the sideline. He would eventually return to the game, but it didn’t last long.

Nacua eventually needed a cart to get into the locker room, where he was ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the match.

This PCL sprain is an aggravation of the original injury, which occurred on August 4 during a joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers. Nacua would miss time in training camp, but would return on August 26 to the delight of his team and fans.

LIONS TAKE OVERTIME VICTORY OVER RAMS BEHIND A BREAKOUT PLAY BY JAMESON WILLIAMS

He will be missed on the field in the coming weeks, however, as McVay must figure out a plan for quarterback Matthew Stafford and the offense.

“You can see he’s an impact player,” McVay said of Nacua, via ESPN. “He gets four targets, he has four catches for almost 50 yards. He’s got a jet sweep, he does things in the run game. He’s a factor. He’s just one of those guys that makes a difference. And so it’s unfortunate for him, and I’m especially bummed for the individual.”

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) runs after a catch during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. (David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports)

The Rams were already plagued by injuries heading into Week 1, as right tackle Rob Havenstein is nursing an ankle injury, while left tackle Alaric Jackson is suspended for the first two games of the season. Then, Joe Noteboom, who replaced Jackson, suffered a high ankle sprain in the loss and will likely miss time.

There’s no secret now where Stafford will want to pass the ball with Nacua out, as Cooper Kupp saw 21 targets in a game where the Rams led late in the game but forced a Lions field goal into overtime. Detroit won the coin flip, driving down the field with a David Montgomery touchdown to seal the win.

Kupp finished with 14 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown.

In addition to Nacua, Rams left guard Steve Avila is also dealing with an MCL sprain, which will likely put him on IR, while right guard Kevin Dotson was seen with a boot on his left foot after the game.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) is stretchered off the field after suffering an injury in the first half against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. (Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images)

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The Rams will face Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2.

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