The Rams' Nacua was ejected for throwing a hit in the OT win over the Seahawks

SEATTLE – Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua called his ejection for a punch in the second quarter of Sunday's 26-20 overtime win against the Seattle Seahawks “a learning experience” and said he was venting his emotions Let it run.

After quarterback Matthew Stafford's pass intended for Nacua was intercepted by cornerback Riq Woolen, Nacua got into a scuffle with linebacker Tyrel Dodson. Nacua threw a punch at Dodson and was ejected from the game.

Nacua said it was a “helpless feeling” watching the game in the locker room, pointing to a small TV in the corner where he watched the Fox feed but heard the Seahawks' broadcast. The Rams came back in overtime to win after Seattle scored with less than a minute left in regulation.

“There were some things said at the beginning of the game and I just let my emotions flow and reacted instead of reacting in any way in that moment,” Nacua said when asked about what happened in the game. “I knew the play wasn't working anymore after the interception, and he just had a couple of hands on me while I was trying to get fended off. So I just made sure I could defend myself and prepare myself to see what was going to happen next.”

Stafford called Nacua “a smart and thoughtful kid” and said he's “not worried” about the second-year wideout.

“Obviously that’s not what he wants to do,” Stafford said. “He doesn’t want to be out there playing with us and all that stuff. It’s a bit of a frustrating start to the game and this guy had a hell of a game with the ball.”

“And sometimes emotions overwhelm us. But I have full confidence in his ability to respond and understand that these are the things we cannot do. And as hard as it is sometimes to let go of these things, you need to do it. And I have no problems with how he will move forward.

Nacua, active Sunday after an injury scare at Thursday's practice, had one catch for 11 yards before being ejected. He had played 26 of 30 offensive snaps.

Nacua missed five games as a substitute this season due to a knee injury. He returned from IR in Week 8 and became the team's leading receiver in that game.

The Seahawks scored after a turnover and a 15-yard penalty against Nacua to take a 13-3 lead into halftime on Sunday.

After the game, Rams coach Sean McVay said Nacua's emotions were “one of the things we love about him, but he'll be able to learn from it.”

“Just, 'We're smarter,'” McVay said when asked what he told Nacua after his expulsion. “I love him. …One of the best qualities he has is the emotions and the way he loves to compete with his teammates and do whatever he can to contribute. And then I also understand how important it is to have something (Aaron (Donald) always called it controlled aggression.

“And so he will learn from it. He's just the right guy and this was a learning opportunity and we all make mistakes and I'm looking forward to seeing him react the way I know he's capable of doing.