LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is questionable to play against Seattle on Sunday after aggravating a knee injury in practice this week.
Nacua originally hurt his right knee in training camp before aggravating it in the opener at Detroit, forcing him to miss five games while on injured reserve. Nacua returned last week in a victory over Minnesota, catching seven passes for 106 yards, but he came out of practice Thursday.
Vcoach Sean McVay said there was nothing structurally wrong with Nacua’s knee following this latest setback, but the second-year wideout missed practice Friday.
“I think the good thing is what the hope and expectation is that sometimes when you do that coming off an injury, it kind of scares you as much as anything where maybe you broke up some scar tissue,” McVay said. “When you look at the picture, it was really encouraging structurally.”
Nacua had a record-setting rookie season, making 105 catches for 1,486 yards.
The Rams (3-4) also ruled punter Ethan Evans out Friday because of illness. Either Ty Zentner or Ryan Sanborn will be called up from the practice squad to replace Evans versus the Seahawks (4-4).
In addition to his punting duties, Evans is the holder on field goals and extra points and handles kickoffs.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) catches a pass as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore (2) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers, including Shohei Ohtani and his dog, celebrated their eighth World Series championship with a downtown parade and a raucous on-field party on Friday.
“This is so special,” said Ohtani, who usually only speaks publicly in his native Japanese but addressed a crowd of 42,458 at Dodger Stadium in English. “I'm so honored to be here. Congratulations, Los Angeles. Thank you, guys.”
Fellow Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto added in English, “Thank you, Dodger fans.”
Rapper Ice Cube kicked off the bash by performing “It Was a Good Day,” with manager Dave Roberts dancing and joining in on the lyrics from a blue circular stage in the middle of the field.
“You guys wanted a parade. We got a parade,” Roberts said. “Guys, let's get ready to run this back next year, too.”
Players exchanged hugs and back slaps on the stage as blue-and-white confetti drifted in the air and the team's signature song, “I Love LA,” blared. Their children played on the field, with Freddie Freeman's 8-year-old son, Charlie, leading some of them in jumping up on the lower retaining wall near the crowd.
Players took turns passing around the Commissioner's Trophy.
“Who else has more championships than us in the 2020s?” asked utilityman Kiké Hernández. “Absolutely nobody.”
Roberts introduced Freeman as someone who “ played with one leg and one rib,” in reference to the first baseman's injuries.
“I did everything I could to get on the field for you guys and I’m so glad I did because we got a championship now,” Freeman said. “I can't wait to run this back next year.”
Earlier, seven double-decker buses filled with players, their families and the coaching staff rolled through streets packed on both sides with blue-clad fans. The Los Angeles Police Department estimated the crowd at over 200,000.
“This is incredible,” said Freeman, the World Series MVP. “LA really showed out today.”
Several players smoked cigars and drank beer aboard the buses on the sun-splashed day.
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever been part of,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said. “I’ve never seen this many people in my life. They’re all Dodger fans.”
A shirtless Hernández hung over the front of his bus with a beer in his hand. Ohtani held his dog, Decoy, in his arms with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, nearby.
“I'm totally overwhelmed with the amount of fans who are here,” Ohtani said through an interpreter as the bus rolled along. “It’s been an incredible year. I’m so happy that I was able to contribute."
Asked if he would take his shirt off like Hernández, a smiling Ohtani shook his head and replied in English, “No, never.”
Walker Buehler, who pitched the ninth inning in the Series finale, did a beer bong while wearing Orel Hershiser's jersey from the team's 1988 World Series championship.
“This is crazy, man. I love this,” outfielder Teoscar Hernández said.
Fans cheered and waved to the players. The parade occurred on what would have been the 64th birthday of Fernando Valenzuela, the 1981 NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year winner who died days before the World Series began.
The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in five games, clinching the title with a 7-6 victory in the Bronx on Wednesday.
A portion of the proceeds from the ticketed stadium event will be donated to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.
There were more than a dozen arrests during informal celebrations after the team's comeback win to clinch the Series. Burglaries, vandalism and fires occurred in some parts of the city.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Mamiko Tanaka, wife of Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, holds their dog Decoy during the baseball team's World Series championship parade and celebration at Dodger Stadium, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani holds his dog Decoy during the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers players celebrate with fans during the baseball team's World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts tips his hat to the crowd during the baseball team's World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Ice Cube performs during the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade and celebration at Dodger Stadium Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts celebrates as he walks to the stage during the baseball team's World Series championship parade and celebration at Dodger Stadium, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani holds his dog Decoy during the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani waves at fans during the baseball team's World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Fans cheer before the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts waves at fans during the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Fans cheer as buses carrying players are driven past during the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Alex Vesia yells in celebration during the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Fans cheer and hold signs before the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Los Angeles City Hall glows in Dodger Blue to celebrate the Dodgers' World Series Championship in Los Angeles on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
The Los Angeles Dodgers pose for a team picture after their win against the New York Yankees in Game 5 to win the baseball World Series, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
A fan holds a replica trophy during the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Fans crowd the sidewalk as they wait for the start of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Fans crowd behind barricades waiting for the start of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
