Who Should I Start? Cooper Kupp or Justin Jefferson

Tuesday, October 22, 6:58 PM

Los Angeles Rams wide receivers Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) both practiced on Tuesday. Kupp was a full participant in practice and Nacua was limited. Kupp appeared to be on his way to playing in the Rams' Week 7 win over the Las Vegas Raiders but he was likely held out with the quick turnaround to Thursday. Nacua was designated to return from injured reserve this week and any level of practice participation from him is a welcome sign. Kupp and Nacua are a formidable duo. The two combined for 2,223 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023 despite Kupp missing five games. Nacua recorded four receptions for 35 yards in Week 1 before his injury. Kupp has 18 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown in his two games in 2024. While Kupp seems like a safe bet to return in Week 8 when the Rams face the Minnesota Vikings, fantasy managers will need to monitor Nacua to see how he fares at Wednesday's practice. Either way, it seems as though Nacua is close to returning to the field. Kupp will get to face the No. 32 defense against opposing wide receivers in fantasy upon his presumed return in Week 8. He should be right back in fantasy lineups if he plays.

Wednesday, October 23, 12:32 AM

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson continues to rank as a high-end WR1 for fantasy football heading into Week 8 against the Los Angeles Rams. While Jefferson's volume has taken a step backward in the Vikings' Sam Darnold-led offense (he's averaging a relatively modest 5.5 catches per game and has not caught more than seven passes in a single game this year), he's a major scoring threat in the Minnesota offense. Not only does he have a touchdown in five of the Vikings' six games this year, but he's also facing off against a Rams defense allowing the ninth-most touchdowns to opposing wide receivers in 2024. All in all, Jefferson has the highest upside among all players in the Vikings' offense and should be treated as high-end WR1 for Thursday night's clash against the Rams.