Who Should I Start? Puka Nacua or Ladd McConkey

Monday, October 13, 12:24 PM

Updating previous reports on Monday, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that the team thinks wide receiver Puka Nacua (ankle) avoided a "long-term injury" in Sunday's Week 6 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN. When deciding on when Nacua can return, McVay mentioned that the receiver's "style of play, the way and the nature at which he plays, that is something that does weigh into this." A report earlier on Monday suggested that Nacua was expected to miss some time, but McVay himself is calling him day-to-day and isn't ruling him out for Week 7 in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Rams have their bye in Week 8, so the most likely scenario is that L.A. will hold Nacua out in Week 7 and hope to have him back for a Week 9 contest against the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 2. Fantasy managers should prepare for Nacua to miss at least one game. If Nacua doesn't play in London, Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell (hamstring) would be the next men up behind Davante Adams in the Rams' passing game.

Sunday, October 12, 8:54 PM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey caught seven of his nine targets for 100 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's Week 6 win over the Miami Dolphins. He ultimately led the team in targets and receiving yards, and he also tied for first in receptions. The 23-year-old had an underwhelming start to the season, but he seems to have turned the corner over the last two weeks. During that two-game span, he has totaled 12 catches, 139 yards, and two touchdowns. This week, he also benefited from the absence of Quentin Johnston (hamstring), but we don't expect McConkey to endure much of a decline when Johnston does return. His production is probably more connected to the effectiveness of the backfield, which isn't a guarantee anymore with Omarion Hampton (ankle) and Najee Harris (Achilles) sidelined. With a solidified role and momentum on his side, McConkey should rank as a high-end WR2 ahead of Week 7 against the Colts.