McVay: NFL told Rams DPI was wrong call on pivotal play vs. Broncos

Rams coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that the NFL told the team a defensive pass interference call against cornerback Josh Wallace in Sunday night's loss to the Denver Broncos should not have been made, according to ESPN. The call came on third-and-6 from the Los Angeles 11, when Wallace intercepted a pass from Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, ESPN reported. Officials flagged Wallace for defensive pass interference on Broncos receiver Pat Bryant, giving Denver first-and-goal at the 7. The Broncos scored on that drive to take a 30-26 lead with 47 seconds left, and the Rams fell to 1-2, per ESPN and Yahoo Sports.

McVay said Monday the team submitted the play to the league to get clarity on how such plays are officiated, according to ESPN. On Wednesday, McVay said the league "agreed" with him that the penalty should not have been called.

"The goal is to just get good, consistent feedback," McVay said, according to ESPN. McVay said the only thing that mattered to him was educating his players, adding that whether the call was right or wrong, it had already been made and couldn't be changed. He added, "That game's over with. We're a 1-2 football team and got to be able to move forward."

Bryant, the Broncos receiver on the play, told CBS Sports Colorado that he and Wallace both made contact while the ball was in the air, according to Yahoo Sports. "It was a little pass interference," Bryant said. "I did sell it just enough to get the flag." He also said Wallace gave him a slight nudge he felt, and that he chose to use the contact to his advantage rather than try to catch the ball.

The Rams had led 16-0 before the Broncos rallied to win 30-26, per Yahoo Sports. Los Angeles next plays the 2-1 Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, and McVay said the team expects wide receiver Puka Nacua back after he returned to practice Wednesday in limited fashion following two games out with groin soreness, ESPN reported. Aaron Donald, who returned from retirement in late August, missed Wednesday's practice due to back soreness, and McVay said it's too soon to know if it will affect his Week 4 status.