Puka Nacua injures rib after return as Rams rout Saints 52-17

Puka Nacua returned to the Los Angeles Rams lineup on Sunday but left in the third quarter with a rib injury after a 39 yard catch and a touchdown, and the team said he is expected to be fine going forward. Nacua missed Week 7 with an ankle injury, practiced fully during the bye week and entered the game after being cleared, catching seven passes for 95 yards before exiting on a jet sweep at the Saints 4 yard line. The Rams routed New Orleans 52 to 17.

The sequence of events began with optimism for Nacua's return after he moved to full participation in Thursday practice and told reporters he felt "fantastic" and happy to be back on the field. He delivered a strong performance before taking a hard hit that prompted an on-field evaluation and a trip to the locker room. He was initially listed questionable to return. Rams coach Sean McVay said after the game that Nacua suffered a rib injury but that the team erred on the side of caution because they held a comfortable lead. "Puka's good. I think he's going to be good," McVay said. "He could've come back in the game, but we kind of erred on the side of caution."

Nacua had been one of the league's most productive receivers earlier in...