Who Should I Start? Puka Nacua or Malik Nabers


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
20.5 5.3 0.1 7.1 92.6 0.5

Puka Nacua News

Puka Nacua Expected Back at Practice Next Week

Thursday, August 13, 12:04 PM

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) is expected back on the practice field next week. Head coach Sean McVay said Nacua left Tuesday's practice because of soreness in his psoas, according to Sarah Barshop. Nacua did some work off to the side Thursday, and McVay expects him to be "ready to go" when he returns next week. That's good news after the 25-year-old left Tuesday with the training staff and was initially reported to be dealing with groin soreness. Nacua is coming off a monster 2025 season, catching a league-high 129 passes for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games. He finished second in the NFL in receiving yards and led all players in receptions. The Rams have no reason to push him through an August practice, and McVay's timetable makes this look like a short absence for now. Barring a setback, there isn't much here to change Nacua's fantasy outlook.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
12.1 0.5 0.0 4.3 56.7 0.3

Malik Nabers News

"Everything Points" to Malik Nabers Being Ready for Start of the Season

Thursday, August 13, 12:33 PM

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) took part in team drills in training camp on Thursday while wearing a red, non-contact jersey, according to Connor Hughes of SNY. It was just a walkthrough/install period, but Nabers was out there against the defense and caught a couple of passes. Hughes adds that "everything points towards him being back for the start of the season." Although most of Nabers' work so far this summer has come during individual drills as he returns from a torn ACL and meniscus in his knee in Week 4 of 2025, the 23-year-old has missed just one practice. Nabers should continue to slowly be ramped up by the Giants, and as long as he doesn't suffer a setback, the former first-rounder from LSU looks to be on track to play on Sunday Night Football in Week 1 versus the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. There's still risk involved in taking a high-end WR coming off an ACL tear, but at least now fantasy managers should feel a little more comfortable targeting Nabers as a low-end WR1 in the early rounds of drafts.


Puka Nacua vs. Malik Nabers

Still trying to decide between Nacua and Nabers? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Puka Nacua is projected to score 20.5 points this week while Malik Nabers is projected to score 12.1 points.