A rookie out of BYU, Nacua has a long road to go if he wants to become a starter in the NFL, and a Fantasy-relevant one at that. But landing with Sean McVay and the Rams is a great place to start. Their receiving room is crowded but wide open behind Cooper Kupp. For now, view Nacua as a Dynasty-only option, and even in that format he shouldn't be drafted in the first three rounds of a rookie-only draft. But if the offseason buzz surrounding him continues into training camp, don't ignore it.
Nacua (shoulder) practiced in full Thursday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Nacua opened Week 14 prep with a capped walkthrough due to the AC joint sprain that he suffered in his right shoulder this past Sunday versus the Browns. One day later, though, he was able to manage every practice rep, paving the way for him to suit up Sunday at Baltimore. Despite already boasting 1,029 receiving yards in 12 games to begin his career, the rookie fifth-round pick will be facing a tough task against a Ravens defense that has given up just 5.7 yards per target (first in the NFL) to opposing wide receivers this season.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Limited in walkthrough
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Nacua (shoulder) was a limited participant in Wednesday's walkthrough, Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports.
In the wake of Nacua playing through pain this past Sunday against the Browns, head coach Sean McVay revealed Monday that the receiver is dealing with an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder. Two days later, McVay elaborated on Nacua's capped session, saying that the rookie "did everything" in the Rams' walk-through session. McVay's comment implies Nacua likely isn't in danger of sitting out this Sunday's road matchup with the Ravens, but his status still should be watched as the weekend draws closer to get a sense of his potential to play.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Diagnosed with AC joint sprain
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Coach Sean McVay said Nacua suffered an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder during Sunday's 36-19 win against the Browns, but he doesn't expect the wide receiver to miss the Rams' Week 14 road matchup with the Ravens, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.
Nacua was on and off the field due to two health concerns Sunday, first due to cramps and then what was originally reported to be a rib issue as he favored his right shoulder and side when he exited for the second time. He was able to return both times and ended up with the fifth 100-yard performance (4-105-1 line on seven targets) of his rookie campaign, including a 70-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. With the nature of his current injury clarified, there's a chance Nacua operates with practice restrictions this week as the Rams prepare for Sunday's game.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Big day in Week 13 win
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Nacua caught four of seven targets for 105 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 36-19 win over the Browns.
The rookie wideout hauled in the first of three Matthew Stafford TDs on the afternoon, turning a slant route over the middle into a 70-yard score in the first quarter. It's Nacua's fifth 100-yard performance of the season but his first since Week 7, while the touchdown was his fourth. While Sunday's performance was encouraging and the Rams' passing game has some juicy matchups down the stretch, Nacua could have trouble maintaining his momentum in Week 14 against the Ravens.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Dealing with rib issue
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Nacua departed Sunday's contest against the Browns due to a rib injury.
Nacua exited twice in the second quarter, first due to cramps and then with an apparent shoulder injury. However, the Rams are calling it a rib issue, leaving him questionable to return. At the time he left the game, Nacua had four catches (on six targets) for 105 yards and one touchdown. Cooper Kupp should have plenty of volume come his way from quarterback Matthew Stafford moving forward, with Tutu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson, Ben Skowronek and Austin Trammell also on hand for WR reps.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Injures shoulder Sunday
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Nacua went to the locker room favoring his right shoulder during Sunday's game versus the Browns, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.
Nacua initially was questionable to return in the middle of the second quarter due to cramps, but he was able to return, only to endure a hard landing on a leaping 20-yard grab. He stayed on the turf for some time before making his way to the sideline slowly with Rams trainers. If he's unable to return, Nacua will finish Week 13 with four catches (on six targets) for 105 yards and one touchdown on the strength of a 70-yard TD.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Dealing with cramps
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Nacua exited Sunday's game against the Browns due to cramps, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
At the time Nacua left in the second quarter, he had a 70-yard touchdown among his three catches for 85 yards. As long as he's sidelined, the Rams' available wide receivers will be Cooper Kupp, Tutu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson, Ben Skowronek and Austin Trammell.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Modest numbers in Week 12 win
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Nacua brought in four of eight targets for 27 yards in the Rams' 37-14 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.
Nacua and Cooper Kupp curiously combined for only seven catches for 45 yards on an afternoon where Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes, with those scores all going to either Kyren Williams or Tyler Higbee. Nacua has now been under 50 receiving yards in three of his past four games, an undesirable stretch he'll aim to snap in a Week 13 home matchup against the Browns.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Logs full practice Thursday
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Nacua (shoulder) was a full practice participant Thursday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
After coach Sean McVay said Monday that Nacua was dealing with a shoulder issue, it was no surprise that he opened Week 12 prep with practice restrictions. But with a full session under his belt Thursday, he's set to be available Sunday at Arizona. At the same time, the Rams' No. 1 wide receiver Cooper Kupp followed up Wednesday's absence with a cap on his reps one day later, leaving a question mark for the team's passing game ahead of the weekend. Friday's injury report may be revealing as it pertains to the potential for Kupp to play Sunday and thus its possible impact on Nacua.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Limited Wednesday
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Rams head coach Sean McVay said Nacua (shoulder) will be a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports.
During a media session Monday, McVay revealed that Nacua was tending to a shoulder injury after Sunday's win versus the Seahawks, and the issue is now affecting his on-field work during Week 12 prep. Nacua at least is practicing, though, which can't be said for Cooper Kupp, who is working his way back from the low-ankle sprain he suffered Week 11. With the health of the Rams' top two pass catchers up in the air, the situation bears watching to see if one or both may miss Sunday's game at Arizona.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Finishes as team's top wideout
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Nacua (knee) corralled five of seven targets for 70 yards and a touchdown while adding seven yards on his lone rushing attempt in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Seahawks.
Nacua finished as the Rams' top receiver after star wideout Cooper Kupp (ankle) left Sunday's contest in the first half with an ankle injury. The rookie standout was then asked to step up in place of his injured teammate for the second time this season, which he accomplished via a touchdown grab towards the end of the first half that helped lead the Rams to victory. At the time of this update, the Rams have not released any additional information on the severity of Kupp's injury, or whether it could affect his status for next Sunday's tilt against the Cardinals, according to ESPN's Sarah Barshop. Nacua would likely see an increase in both his targets and point projections should Kupp sit out against Arizona. The BYU product averaged 9.8 receptions, 13.0 targets and 125.3 receiving yards in four games without Kupp to begin the year.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Will be limited Wednesday
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Head coach Sean McVay said Nacua (knee) will be a limited practice participant Wednesday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
McVay added that Nacua's reps are being capped as a precaution due to the swollen knee that has bothered him since the Rams' Week 8 loss in Dallas. Since then, he suited up for a Week 9 loss at Green Bay, where he gathered in three of seven targets for 32 yards, before using the team's Week 10 bye to rest up. Still, the aforementioned health concern continues to affect Nacua, so his status will be one to watch closely as this Sunday's game against the Seahawks draws closer.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Struggles without Stafford
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Nacua caught three of seven targets for 32 yards in Sunday's 20-3 loss to the Packers.
Nacua has now failed to top 45 yards in three of his last four outings. Sunday's performance came with backup Brett Rypien under center, a development that resulted in merely 130 yards through the air for Los Angeles. Nacua's stock would figure to benefit if Matthew Stafford (thumb) is cleared to return following the Rams' Week 10 bye.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Stays limited Thursday
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Nacua (knee) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
Nacua seemingly has had a preternatural rapport with Matthew Stafford since making his pro debut Week 1, reeling in 61 of 89 targets for 795 yards and two touchdowns in eight games. Even with Cooper Kupp back in action as of Week 5, Nacua still has put up a 22-294-1 line on 37 targets over the last four contests. As the Rams prepare for a Week 9 visit to Green Bay, both Nacua and Stafford are dealing with health concerns, but the wide receiver at least has been able to log back-to-back capped sessions, while the quarterback hasn't mixed into drills yet due to a sprained UCL in his right thumb. Nacua's tending to some swelling in his knee, and Friday's practice report will reveal whether or not he enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's game. Assuming Nacua does suit up, he could be on the receiving end of passes from Brett Rypien if Stafford doesn't gain clearance to play.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Will be limited Wednesday
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Rams head coach Sean McVay said Nacua (knee) will be a limited practice participant Wednesday, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
McVay told Greg Beacham of the Associated Press on Monday that Nacua had some swelling in his knee in the aftermath of the Rams' Week 8 loss at Dallas, which could result in the receiver facing some practice limitations this week. Indeed, that has come to pass Wednesday, but it's unclear if Nacua will remain limited Thursday and Friday. Regardless, Nacua's status for Sunday's game in Green Bay doesn't seem to be in peril.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Has some knee swelling
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Coach Sean McVay noted Monday that Nacua is dealing with some knee swelling and might take it easy in practice this week, Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports.
In Sunday's 43-20 loss to the Cowboys, Nacua logged 57 of a possible 62 snaps on offense en route to catching three of his seven targets for 43 yards. Based on McVay's comments, it looks like the wideout could be limited in practice come Wednesday, but so far there's nothing to suggest that Nacua's status for this weekend's game against the Packers is in danger.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Gets back to full participation
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Nacua (oblique) was a full practice participant Thursday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Nacua finally is back to handling all practice reps due to a lingering oblique issue, which first reared its head on the second injury report of Week 2. Despite the health concern, he handled at least 85 percent of the offensive snaps in both of the last two games and continued to produce, as evidenced by his 30-338-0 line on 42 targets to begin his career. Nacua will aim to keep it up Sunday against a Colts defense that has yielded the ninth-highest catch rate (69.6 percent) to opposing wide receivers this season.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Top DFS Play
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I expect a high-volume game from Matthew Stafford and a rebound for Puka Nacua against a Colts secondary that isn't near as good as their run defense. Last week was his "down" week and he scored 12 PPR Fantasy points. Somehow, he's the No. 6 wide receiver in Fantasy and he hasn't even scored his first touchdown yet.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Notches five catches
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Nacua (oblique) secured five of seven targets for 72 yards during Monday's 19-16 loss to the Bengals.
The talented rookie was on pace for a fairly lackluster performance on the evening before a 37-yard reception late in the fourth quarter helped salvage the day from a fantasy perspective. Nacua still enjoyed the second-highest target share on the team behind Tutu Atwell and tied with Kyren Williams. Through three weeks, Nacua sits with a 30-338-0 receiving line, with the zero in the touchdown department being the only blemish on his impressive fantasy resume, and continues to be an integral part of the Rams' passing game with a favorable matchup against the Colts on deck Week 4.
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Rams' Puka Nacua: Active again in Week 3
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Nacua (oblique) is active for Monday's game at Cincinnati, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
In the midst of a two-game breakout to begin his career, Nacua also has been dealing with an oblique injury the last two weeks. During Week 2 prep, he didn't practice Thursday before getting on the field for back-to-back limited sessions, and he took a questionable tag into Monday. With his status now confirmed for Week 3, Nacua will aim to keep up a torrid pace that has seen him produce 25 catches on 35 targets for 266 yards and no touchdowns through two contests.
