Puka

Nacua

Nacua handily led the team in both targets and yardage, continuing to operate as the alpha wide receiver when healthy this season. Fellow wide receiver Cooper Kupp managed just 33 yards on 10 targets before catching a 27-yard touchdown on the team’s final drive of the game while down three scores, with Nacua’s role in the offense clearly the anchor point from which the rest of the pass offense is built. Nacua’s next chance to return WR1 production comes in Week 13 against the porous Saints defense.

It was Nacua’s best overall game since returning three weeks ago, while the touchdown was his first of 2024. It nearly cost him, as Nacua landed hard on the ball and was badly staggered. He eventually made his way to the blue tent. That was late in the second quarter. He was spotted infrequently early to begin the second half but eventually got back in the swing of things. It still wouldn’t be surprising if Nacua required some imaging, or at least some missed practice reps. The fact that he finished the game is the most important data point, however. The Eagles are a tough Week 12 matchup, but Nacua has re-proven his every-week WR1 value.

Nacua returned from injury to a subdued role in Week 8 before banging his injured knee on the ground in practice ahead of Week 9. He would ultimately suit up in that game but was swiftly ejected for throwing a punch, making the 14-target performance a week later soothing to fantasy managers that have missed his presence in their rosters this season. Two miscues from quarterback Matthew Stafford in the red zone could have made Nacua’s night that much bigger, but both passes ultimately fell incomplete as the Rams failed to score a touchdown for only the second time during Stafford’s career with the team. Up next for Nacua and the Rams is a much more forgiving Patriots team in Week 11.

Nacua punched Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson after a Matthew Stafford interception and was promptly tossed from the game. Dodson shoved Nacua to block him for the return of the pick. Nacua took exception to the move and threw hands right in front of a referee. His day ends with one catch for 11 yards on four targets.

Nacua aggravated his knee injury in practice on Thursday, causing a brief run on the banks from fantasy managers. He was listed as questionable after missing Friday’s practice but is good to go, though his reps may be limited. Nacua caught seven passes for 106 yards in his first game off injured reserve last week. Even with a reduced workload, he can be treated as a WR2 versus Seattle.

At the very least, Russini reports Nacua took the team flight to Seattle. It’s obviously somewhat ominous that Nacua’s knee issue flared up less than one week following his return, but it’s clearly an issue the team and wideout are going to try to manage as they navigate the NFC West’s wild waters. Nacua can be considered a risk/reward must-start on the WR1/2 borderline.

Nacua is listed as questionable after leaving Thursday’s practice with a knee issue. It’s the same knee that sidelined him earlier this season, though it’s unclear if this is a new injury. Rams head coach Sean McVay stated earlier this week that nothing is structurally wrong with Nacua’s knee and that he wouldn’t count him out for Week 9. Now it appears that Nacua is trending in the right direction heading into the matchup with the Seahawks. As we saw in Week 8, he has to be in fantasy lineups when active.

Rapoport confirmed Nacua injured the same knee that sidelined him in Weeks 2-7 but declined to clarify whether this was a re-injury of the same issue. Rapoport also crucially mentioned that while Nacua is questionable for Week 9, “he doesn’t really need to practice” in order to play because of his familiarity with the offense. Nacua still has a chance to suit up as a high-upside WR2 against the Seahawks in Week 9.

Nacua left Thursday’s practice after aggravating the knee issue that sidelined him for most of the first two months of the season. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that the issue wasn’t serious. McVay told reports today that there isn’t anything structurally wrong with his knee and that he wouldn’t bet against Nacua playing. All of this points to the second-year wideout suiting up this week, but it’s more than a bit concerning to see his knee issue flare up immediately after his return. Fantasy managers should treat him as a high-risk WR2 if he plays this week.

Nacua left Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury — the same knee that has given him issues since early August and saw him miss time this year — but Garafolo reports that the wideout is expected to be fine. Fantasy managers should obviously keep an eye on Friday, but it sounds like has a good chance to go Sunday against the Seahawks in Week 9.