The Los Angeles Rams did not trade for a receiver at the deadline, even after losing Puka Nacua to a knee injury two days earlier. The reason, according to ESPN: they expect Nacua and Davante Adams to play again this season, and they had little left to trade.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano laid out the Rams’ thinking in their Week 10 buzz file on Wednesday.
Week 10 buzz file: Trade deadline
-Why no BTJ, JT and DJ deals
-Cousins fallout for Vikings, Raiders
-Inside Chiefs' deal for Downs
-Why Steelers stood pat
-Bills plotted big swing
-Puka returning
-Players not dealtWith @DanGrazianoESPN https://t.co/izdzpa8HCI
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 11, 2026
The Nacua timeline
Nacua suffered MCL and PCL sprains in his right knee plus turf toe on the Rams’ final offensive snap of a 20-13 win at Washington on Sunday, according to Covers and ESPN. Coach Sean McVay said Monday that Nacua will likely go on injured reserve and will miss at least a month. We covered the injury in our Puka Nacua injury story.
The Rams hope to have him back around Week 14 or Week 15, Graziano reported, per RotoBaller. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport called the PCL issue relatively minor, Pro Football Rumors noted.
The IR decision shapes the timeline. IR requires a player to miss at least four games, not weeks, and the Rams have a bye in Week 11, Graziano explained, as quoted by Yardbarker. If Los Angeles thinks Nacua needs only about four weeks, it could keep him off IR and aim for the Week 14 game at San Francisco. If he goes on IR this week, the earliest he can return is the Week 15 game against Dallas.
Why the Rams stood pat
Los Angeles was linked to receivers before the deadline, but nothing happened. Graziano pointed to the draft board. Because of the earlier trades for Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie, the Rams have only four picks in the 2027 draft and no first-, third- or seventh-round selections, he wrote, per Yardbarker.
The other factor was the belief that help was coming from within. The Rams didn’t seriously consider a receiver move because they expect both Nacua and Adams back this season, ESPN reported. Adams is on IR with a hamstring injury.
What the Rams lose for now
Nacua was carrying the offense. In seven games, he has 70 catches for 715 yards and four touchdowns, plus a rushing score, according to RotoBaller. His final game before the injury was one of his best: 14 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown against the Commanders, Forbes noted.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wrote that the Rams build their whole play-action game around Nacua, and there is no like-for-like replacement for him around the league.
For now, Konata Mumpfield, Tutu Atwell and rookie CJ Daniels will need to step up for Matthew Stafford, RotoBaller noted.
The schedule ahead
The Rams (5-4) face Arizona on Sunday, a matchup that also features Cardinals rookie Carson Beck in his first start. Read our Carson Beck story.
After the Week 11 bye, the Rams face a tough stretch that includes the Packers, Chiefs and 49ers, according to Pro Football Rumors. Getting Nacua back in time for that run could decide their season.
For more on the deadline, see our trade tracker and our list of the biggest names not traded.
Sources: ESPN (2), Yardbarker, RotoBaller, Covers, Pro Football Rumors, Forbes
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