Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) had a compression sleeve on his right leg and was working with the strength and conditioning/training staff off to the side during Wednesday's walkthrough practice. Nacua suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee in the season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions and was placed on Injured Reserve. The earliest that he can return to action will be in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders after the team's bye in Week 7. Until then, fantasy managers need to keep the 23-year-old second-year pass-catcher in an IR spot. Cooper Kupp (ankle) is set to miss his second straight game in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears, leaving wideouts Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington to battle for targets from quarterback Matthew Stafford. So far, tight end Colby Parkinson has been a disappointment with Kupp and Nacua sidelined.
Sep 25, 2024 7:30 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) could miss between five and seven weeks depending on how fast and how well his PCL recovers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Nacua is coming off a historic rookie season and caught four passes for 35 yards early in last week's season opener. Now, he'll be forced to miss some time while Cooper Kupp commands an even greater share of targets on offense. Tight end Colby Parkinson and receivers Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson should help fill the void left by Nacua heading into a pivotal stretch of games.
Sep 15, 2024 8:24 AM EST
When asked if the team's Week 6 bye will help get Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee), and offensive linemen Steve Avila (knee) and Joe Noteboom (ankle) back after only missing the required four games while on Injured Reserve, head coach Sean McVay said, "They each have unique injuries that as of right now could keep them out longer than that." The Rams officially placed all three players on IR on Wednesday, meaning they have to sit out Weeks 2-5. The 23-year-old Nacua will have an extra week to recover because of the team's bye, but it sounds like he may not even be ready for Week 7 against the Raiders due to a PCL sprain in his right knee that he suffered in the Week 1 loss to the Lions. WR1 Cooper Kupp is going to eat with Nacua sidelined, while Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson will also be much more involved in the passing game, as well as tight end Colby Parkinson.
Sep 11, 2024 7:07 PM EST
The Los Angeles Rams officially placed wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday. The team announced early in the week that he would go on IR, but it is now official, and he must sit out at least the next four games. It's an unfortunate development for Nacua and his fantasy managers who took him in the first or second round of preseason fantasy drafts following a 105-catch, 1,486-yard, six-touchdown season as a rookie. He will be first eligible to return following Los Angeles' Week 6 bye leading up to the matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7. While he's out, Cooper Kupp, who saw 21 targets in Week 1, should continue to dominate targets. However, wideouts Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson and tight end Colby Parkinson will see increased opportunities. In deep leagues, Tutu Atwell might be worth stashing.
Sep 11, 2024 2:21 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) is heading to the injured reserve after injuring his knee during Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. He appeared to re-aggravate the bursa sac injury in his right knee, which he picked up in early August at training camp. The 23-year-old had a stellar rookie season, breaking the rookie receiving yards record, but will now miss at least four games. This is a massive blow to the Ram's offense, as Nacua won't be eligible to return until Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Cooper Kupp managers can expect him to see a huge target volume after seeing 21 targets in Week 1 with Nacua out most of the game. At the same time, Demarcus Robinson should see an uptick in targets as the Rams' No. 2 wide receiver with Nacua sidelined. Robinson is worth adding in most formats for managers looking for a replacement for Nacua.
Sep 9, 2024 5:24 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) aggravated the right-knee injury he dealt with during training camp in the summer in the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday night at Ford Field in the overtime loss to the Detroit Lions. While Nacua is still going through additional testing on Monday after leaving Sunday's game early, he is expected to be considered week-to-week, according to sources. It's unclear exactly when the Rams and fantasy managers might get the 23-year-old second-year wideout back, but nobody should be expecting him to play in Week 2 against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. Nacua was dealing with a bursa-sac injury in his knee back in camp. With Nacua leaving on Sunday, Cooper Kupp caught a league-high 14 passes on 21 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown, so his value will rise for however long Nacua is out. Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson figure to see bigger roles as well.
Sep 9, 2024 4:14 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) will undergo testing on his knee Monday afternoon after leaving Sunday night's game against the Detroit Lions. According to Ian Rapoport, the star receiver is scheduled to get some testing done after injuring the same knee that he tweaked during the preseason. Nacua was able to come back for one play in Sunday night's game, but ultimately left again and did not return. There still hasn't been any word or speculation on what's wrong with his knee, so these tests should provide a clear picture of the extent of the injury. If he'll need to miss some time, Tyler Johnson did a good job filling in against the Lions, while Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington may also see some more snaps.
Sep 9, 2024 10:24 AM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) was officially ruled out in the third quarter of Sunday night's game against the Detroit Lions. He'll end his night having caught all four targets for 35 yards. Nacua went down -- without contact -- after catching a Matthew Stafford pass halfway through the second quarter. He was initially ruled questionable to return and made his way back to the field in the waning seconds of the first half before being carted to the locker room and deemed out. It is certainly concerning to see him hit the turf without effort from a defender, especially considering he missed several weeks during training camp after hurting his knee at a joint practice. Expect an update from Sean McVay -- presumptively after some diagnostic imaging -- in the coming hours.
Sep 8, 2024 10:28 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is set up nicely for success against the Detroit Lions in Week 1. Nacua will line up against the Lions' revamped secondary of rookie Terrion Arnold and veteran Carlton Davis III. He should see success with Matthew Stafford under center and pick up where he left off during a breakout rookie campaign last year. He had a knee issue in the preseason but is fully off the injury report and is ready to go. The BYU product commanded 9.4 targets per game last season and racked up 105 catches for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns. With Cooper Kupp back fully healthy the red-zone usage might be a bit of a concern for Nacua as Stafford seems to look for Kupp a lot in those situations. But Nacua should work the middle of the field on the short and intermediary routes and is a high-upside PPR play, who could be in for a huge game if he can find the end zone.
Sep 6, 2024 6:28 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) was listed as a full participant in the team's first official practice of the regular season on Wednesday and should be ready to roll for the Week 1 season opener on Sunday night against the Detroit Lions. Nacua returned to a full practice last week after initially injuring the bursa sac in his knee way back on Aug. 4. It's something worth watching, but fantasy managers shouldn't have any reservations about starting the star second-year wideout in lineups this weekend. The 23-year-old former fifth-rounder last year out of BYU took the league by storm right away, finishing with a 105-1,486-6 line in 17 regular-season games. Even with veteran wideout Cooper Kupp back to full health in 2024, Nacua showed last year that he has WR1 upside for fantasy managers on a weekly basis.
Sep 4, 2024 8:14 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) is coming off one of the most impressive rookie years in NFL history. Now, he'll look to build off his historic campaign as he enters his second season in the league. Nacua has been battling a knee injury this summer, but he's expected to be back to 100 percent for the Rams' upcoming season opener. Once again, Nacua will operate alongside Cooper Kupp while catching passes from Matthew Stafford. Managers interested in Nacua should be aware that Kupp still has the makings of an elite wide receiver and could command plenty of volume this year. Nevertheless, Nacua has shown that he deserves plenty of passes thrown his way, too. Whether there are enough opportunities for both of them to thrive remains unclear, but at the very least, Nacua is a high-end WR2 with upside.
Sep 1, 2024 10:02 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) was a full participant in practice Thursday, and he is "ready to roll," according to head coach Sean McVay. The sophomore wideout suffered a knee injury earlier this month but has avoided a significant injury and should be ready to suit up for next week's season opener. Last season, the former fifth-round selection had 1,486 yards, which was the fourth-highest at his position. He also caught 105 passes and scored six touchdowns. The 23-year-old was very impressive down the stretch, as he scored the third-most PPR points from Weeks 13-17 among wideouts. Nacua will be a popular pick toward the back half of the first round in all remaining drafts, as he should finish near the top among all pass-catchers this coming season.
Aug 29, 2024 3:58 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) is back at training camp practice on Monday and is taking part in individual drills. The Rams are easing Nacua back into the fold, with Monday being the first time he's been at practice since Aug. 4 due to a bursa-sac injury in his knee. All indications are that the 23-year-old second-year pass-catcher will be ready to go in time for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sept. 8 against the Detroit Lions. Head coach Sean McVay hasn't been worried at all about Nacua's status despite missing plenty of practice time in camp. Unless Nacua suffers a setback in the next two weeks, fantasy managers should feel confident selecting him as a top-10 fantasy wideout after a breakout rookie season in 2023 in which he went for 105 catches (160 targets), 1,486 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season contests.
Aug 26, 2024 2:19 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) exited practice this past weekend and stayed on the sideline with a bag of ice wrapped around his knee. Sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the injury is deemed "not serious." Fantasy managers can wipe the sweat from their brow as last season's NFL Offseason Rookie of the Year should be good to go for Week 1 barring any further setbacks. After being selected in the fifth round by the Rams, the 23-year-old budding superstar set NFL rookie records for receptions and receiving yards en route to being a league winner for fantasy football in 2023. Nacua will be heavily targeted once again with a healthy Cooper Kupp to form a potent one-two punch at receiver for quarterback Matthew Stafford this season. Nacua is a firm WR1 for fantasy managers this season.
Aug 6, 2024 9:10 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) suffered a knee injury this past weekend and is considered week-to-week. According to Adam Schefter, one of his sources said that the injury is "not serious." Fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief that the first description of it came as not one to worry about, but it will be something to monitor as training camp rolls along. The second-year wideout is ranked as the 12th player overall in Rotoballer's fantasy rankings in half-PPR leagues and has an ADP of 11.8. He'll still have to compete with Cooper Kupp for targets, but Matthew Stafford has proven there's more than enough to get Nacua plenty of fantasy points.
Aug 5, 2024 9:36 AM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) was forced to exit early during Sunday's practice session. The second-year wideout reportedly left with a knee injury after about an hour into drills. Nacua was seen with a bag of ice wrapped around his right knee. Head coach Sean McVay said he wasn't sure what happened to Nacua. It wouldn't be shocking to see Nacua sit out of practice for a few days. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for more information on his situation.
Aug 4, 2024 6:48 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua came out of nowhere and delivered arguably the greatest season for a rookie pass-catcher ever. The BYU product caught 105 passes for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns in the regular season and posted 181 yards in his first playoff game. However, the Rams believe he's in better shape and could make strides in Year 2. "His body is totally different," wide receiver coach Eric Yarber said. "He looks just like Cooper. He's lost so much body fat and gained so much lean muscle, which enabled him to move more efficiently now. And he has better body control. But he did exactly what I said. And you're seeing some of the results right now." The 23-year-old was a top-four wideout in PPR leagues last season, and it sounds like he's doing the right things to remain a fantasy football WR1. Although he might see some regression with a fully healthy Cooper Kupp, he should maintain his spike-week upside.
Jun 27, 2024 4:16 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is coming off arguably the greatest rookie season ever for a wideout. He posted 105 receptions for 1,468 yards and six touchdowns, and he set a rookie record for receiving yards in a postseason game (181). It's difficult to project a better season of production in Year 2, but Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said he has improved this offseason. "You can definitely see he's made strides. He's moving better. I know he feels more comfortable," LaFleur said. "He's in year two and that's what you expect from all the players, but you know that you're going to get it from Puka because he's just made of the right stuff." Nacua is being drafted as a mid-to-late first-round pick in PPR leagues, and if Cooper Kupp takes another step back, he could compete for an overall WR1 finish in fantasy football. Los Angeles did not add legitimate target competition in free agency or the 2024 NFL Draft.
May 30, 2024 4:37 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua dominated in the team's 24-23 wildcard loss to the Detroit Lions. Nacua caught nine of his 10 targets for 181 receiving yards and a 50-yard first-half touchdown. He also rushed the ball once for a loss of two yards. The 5th-round rookie set yet another record as he finished with the most receiving by a rookie WR in a playoff game. Despite his season coming to an end, Nacua continued to prove himself as one of the most dangerous receivers in all of football. Heading into next season, fantasy players should consider him in the first three rounds of drafts and ahead of Cooper Kupp.
Jan 15, 2024 4:42 AM EST
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua had one of the most dominant rookie seasons we have seen from a wide receiver. The 5th-round draft pick broke a pair of records as he ended with the most receptions and receiving yards by a rookie in a single season. He finished as a top-five fantasy receiver and won many their fantasy leagues. Nacua will now face the Detroit Lions on Sunday, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Play him confidently in all DFS lineups as he has the potential to torch the Lions' defense.
Jan 14, 2024 4:56 AM EST
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