Who Should I Start? Nico Collins or Puka Nacua

Thursday, October 30, 5:11 PM

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (concussion) has cleared the league's mandatory concussion protocol and said he's "feeling great, ready to play this week" on Sunday for a Week 9 battle against the visiting Denver Broncos, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Collins suffered a concussion late in the Monday night loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7 and did not suit up for the Week 8 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. He has been back at practice this week, though, and has already cleared the concussion protocol, so fantasy managers should have him back without any restrictions this weekend against a Broncos defense that will be without their top cornerback, Patrick Surtain II (pectoral). Although the matchup still isn't a great one -- Denver's vaunted pass rush could make things difficult for Houston's offensive line -- Collins should be reinserted into all starting fantasy lineups.

Thursday, October 30, 6:59 PM

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (ankle) was upgraded to a full practice participant in Thursday's session, according to Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Nacua was limited due to his ankle injury in Wednesday's practice, but his return to a full session on Thursday pretty much ensures that the Rams plan on him playing in Week 9 versus the visiting New Orleans Saints on Sunday at SoFi Stadium. The 24-year-old pass-catcher suffered an ankle injury in Week 6 and did not play in the Week 7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London as a result. Nacua had last week's bye to rest up, and now it appears he's ready to return as the Rams' unquestioned WR1. He has been heavily targeted by quarterback Matthew Stafford again in 2025 and has been a top-five receiver in fantasy scoring despite missing a game due to injury. Get him back into your lineups this weekend.