The Los Angeles Rams got the win on Sunday, but they suffered an even bigger loss to their team. Puka Nacua suffered an MCL and PCL sprain, as well as turf toe, on the final offensive snap – a jet sweep to Nacua on third-and-11.
The play only went for 5 yards, but it allowed the clock to keep running before the Rams punted it away one last time. In reality, they could've run any play to burn the clock, but McVay put the ball in the hands of Nacua, who had already racked up 15 touches before that carry.
During his press conference on Monday, McVay said he regrets the call and has been questioning it "over and over." He said he's "kicking" himself for it, especially now that Nacua is expected to miss at least a month and go on injured reserve.
Sean
McVay on his jet sweep call that led to Puka Nacua's injury: "I'm kicking myself about those kinds of things. ... I'd be lying to you if I said I haven't questioned the decision making on that last play over and over"
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) November 9, 2026
In hindsight, it was a bad call by McVay. It was essentially a throwaway play just to milk the clock, and giving it to his only receiver who had already touched the ball 15 times was a poor decision. And it's going to have long-term ramifications.
Sure, a player can get hurt on any given play, but Nacua was already worn down and had been checked for a concussion earlier in the game. Putting him in harm's way again when the game was just about over backfired on McVay.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Sean McVay has questioned play call that got Puka Nacua hurt 'over and over'
