Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Puka Nacua


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
10.7 48.6 0.3 2.0 14.5 0.1

Rico Dowdle News

Rico Dowdle Splits First-Team Work in Preseason Debut

Friday, August 21, 10:02 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle turned five carries into 18 rushing yards and caught his lone target for two yards in a 17-0 preseason loss to the New York Jets. While teammate Jaylen Warren took the field first with the starters, Dowdle ultimately played 10 snaps to Warren's nine and finished with one additional touch. The seventh-year pro handled the entirety of Pittsburgh's second drive before splitting work with Warren on the third possession. Dowdle is unlikely to command a workhorse role as long as Warren stays healthy, but he should still see plenty of opportunities both on the ground and through the air as a reliable pass-catching option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He profiles as a fantasy RB3 with upside if the Steelers' offense takes a step forward under new head coach Mike McCarthy.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
19.6 3.5 0.0 7.0 92.7 0.5

Puka Nacua News

Puka Nacua Still Not Back at Practice

Monday, August 24, 10:32 AM

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) remained out of practice Monday, according to Sarah Barshop. Nacua was working off to the side with a trainer but has yet to rejoin team drills since leaving the Aug. 11 joint practice with Dallas because of psoas soreness. Sean McVay initially expected him back the following week, but Nacua ended up sitting out both joint practices with New Orleans as well. The Rams later pushed that expectation into this week, so Monday's absence is worth noting even with Nacua doing route work on the side. He is coming off a massive 2025 season, leading the NFL with 129 receptions while piling up 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games. There is still time before Week 1, but Nacua has now been away from team practice for nearly two weeks.


Rico Dowdle vs. Puka Nacua

Still trying to decide between Dowdle and Nacua? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Rico Dowdle is projected to score 10.7 points this week while Puka Nacua is projected to score 19.6 points.