The Seattle Seahawks (1-0) are tied for first place in the NFC West with the San Francisco 49ers (1-0), who defeated the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. The Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals are sharing the basement at 0-1 apiece. The Rams received more bad news following their Week 1 defeat. Wide receiver Puka Nacua and center Steve Avila suffered multi-week injuries that are expected to land both offensive starters on IR.
Rams WR Puka Nacua (knee) will be placed on injured reserve, will miss at least four games. pic.twitter.com/gcUyxeTbzJ
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2024
In two games versus the Seahawks last season, Nacua recorded 15 receptions for 189 yards and one touchdown, including a 10-catch performance in Week 1. The former BYU standout would eventually shatter the NFL’s single-season rookie receiving yards (1,486) and receptions (105) record. It’s worth acknowledging Nacua won’t miss any games against Seattle if he misses just the minimum four required games on IR. The Seahawks aren’t scheduled to play the Rams until Week 9.
Avila suffered a sprained MCL in Sunday night’s loss to the Detroit Lions, per Jordan Schultz. Avila’s timeline is estimated at four-to-six weeks. He’ll miss a bunch of crucial games as one of the Rams’ better offensive lineman, but should return to Sean McVay’s lineup before the Seahawks play them in Week 9.
The Rams are already trailing the Seahawks for the division lead in the NFC West. These two setbacks won’t help their early-season outlook. The Seahawks need to take advantage by creating some distance between themselves and one of their rivals.
