The Rams clarified that star receiver Puka Nacua is expected to miss significant time without immediately going on injured reserve, as injuries pile up across the league before Week 11. The decision to keep him off injured reserve leaves the door open for a return, but the team has made clear that the absence will be measured in weeks, not days.
Why it matters
The injury list across the league kept growing on Wednesday. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was a full participant in practice with a right elbow injury, after playing all 75 offensive snaps in the win over the Commanders. Outside linebacker Myles Garrett was limited after playing 37 of 62 defensive snaps in his return, when he had three sacks.
The quarterback carousel kept spinning alongside the injuries. Cleveland is returning Deshaun Watson to its starting lineup after a concussion, Arizona is handing rookie Carson Beck his first start, and Minnesota is preparing Kirk Cousins for a possible return just days after acquiring him from Las Vegas at the trade deadline.
What happens next
Seattle ruled out Sam Darnold, with Drew Lock set to start against the Raiders, and the league is preparing for Thursday Night Football, where the Giants host the Washington Commanders. The Dolphins and Colts meet on Sunday with both teams remodelled by trades, and the injury report will decide as much as the game plan.
For now, the injuries are the story of Week 11. Nacua absence changes the Rams offence, the quarterback changes reshape three teams, and the teams that handle the quick turnaround best will have the edge when the weekend arrives.
The Dolphins and Colts meet on Sunday with both teams remodelled by trades, and the injury report will decide as much as the game plan. The Rams clarified the timeline on Wednesday, and the team will update the injury report again after Thursday practice, when the game designations start to take shape for the weekend. The carousel will keep turning through the weekend, and the teams that handle the quick turnaround best will have the edge when the weekend arrives.
