Rams WR Puka Nacua "slimmed down a bit to try and get a little faster and more agile," per insider Albert Breer. The Rams list Nacua at 6’2, 212 pounds. He showed up to the 2023 NFL Combine at 201 pounds.
The Rams have regularly been among the league leaders in '11' personnel (3-WR) usage under HC Sean McVay. But The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue speculates that the Rams might use more '12' packages (2 WRs, 2 TEs) this season.
The Rams re-signed WR Demarcus Robinson to a one-dear, $5 million deal. He flashed in 2023 with 26-371-4 across only 8 games. He'll likely stick in the Rams' WR3 role behind Puka Nacua Cooper Kupp, supplying some late-round fantasy appeal.
Rams HC Sean McVay announced Wednesday that certain starters won't play at all in the regular-season finale. He did not include WR Puka Nacua in that group. So what's the plan? Nacua sits 3 receptions and 28 yards shy of NFL rookie records in both categories. And it sounds like McVay wants to get him there. "I think you'd like to be able to see him get an opportunity to do something special and then be smart with him," the coach told reporters Wednesday. What's that mean? Expect Nacua to get early opportunities to reach those marks. And as soon as that happens, expect the team's leader in targets, catches, and receiving yards (by wide margins) to hit the bench. A 3-30 receiving line doesn't offer much fantasy help, so we'd lean away from playing Nacua in Week 18 lineups if you can help it. WRs Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell and TE Davis Allen look like the best receiving bets for the Rams this week -- though we're all basically guessing at exactly how the Carson Wentz-led offense will look.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Rams HC Sean McVay has ruled out RB Kyren Williams, WR Cooper Kupp, and DT Aaron Donald for Week 18's contest vs. the 49ers. Once the decision was made that backup QB Carson Wentz would be the Rams' starter on Sunday, it was reasonable to expect we'd see more of these big-name players sit out. Los Angeles gains nothing from playing all their starters in a game that doesn't alter their playoff hopes. This news leaves rookie WR Puka Nacua as the active playmaker of note for season-long managers who play into Week 18 -- although we are not expecting Nacua to play a full slate of snaps. Veteran Demarcus Robinson sits highest among Rams in the Week 18 WR Rankings.
The Rams will start QB Carson Wentz in Sunday's game against the 49ers, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. They'll be resting Matthew Stafford in a game they don't need for playoff positioning. That revelation likely confirms that WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua and RB Kyren Williams will also sit. Beyond that, we'll see. We'd be surprised if Demarcus Robinson has elevated to the point of being rested in this game, but we'll be watching for specific reports ahead of Sunday's kick.
Rams WR Puka Nacua secured 5 of 8 targets for a team-leading 118 receiving yards in Week 17 vs. the Giants. The rookie is beginning to close in on making his 2023 campaign historic in nature. Nacua is just 28 yards shy of breaking the rookie receiving yards record (1,473) set by Oilers WR Bill Groman in 1960 and only 3 catches away from Jaylen Waddle’s rookie receptions record (104) from 2021. He’s got a strong shot at hurdling these marks in Week 18 vs. the 49ers and is in a tremendous position moving forward. Despite the uncertain long-term future of QB Matthew Stafford (who will be 36 in 2024), Nacua established himself as a dominant force and currently ranks seventh among WRs with 17.8 PPR points per game. You’re walking into next season feeling pretty good about your dynasty team if you roster Nacua.
Rams WR Puka Nacua (hip) is active for today’s game vs. the Giants. He missed Friday's practice with what HC Sean McVay called hip tightness but never seemed to be in danger of missing this one. Nacua is safe to keep in Week 17 fantasy lineups.
Rams WR Puka Nacua (hip) is expected to play vs. the Giants today, ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms. Nacua is listed as questionable after missing Friday's practice with what HC Sean McVay labeled hip "tightness." But McVay also said that he fully expected Nacua to play. We're not projecting the hip to be a factor today.
Rams WR Puka Nacua (hip) is listed as questionable for this weekend's game vs. the Giants. He missed Friday's practice with what HC Sean McVay called hip tightness. McVay also said that Nacua should be fine for Sunday's game. He can stay penciled into Week 17 fantasy lineups for now. We'll get the Rams' inactives around 11:30 am ET on Sunday.
The forecast for today's Rams-Ravens game calls for a 97% chance of rain with winds of 10-15 mph and gusts up to 30. Expect lots of running from both offenses in this one. The over/under has dropped from 45.0 to 42.0 -- although the Ravens are still implied for a solid 24.75 points. See the updated projections for this game.
Rams TE Tyler Higbee (neck) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Ravens. That leaves L.A. with TEs Hunter Long and Davis Allen. Neither is a fantasy option. Higbee’s absence figures to leave a few extra targets for WRs Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.
Rams WR Puka Nacua (shoulder) is not listed on the final Week 14 injury report. He practiced all week, including full practices on Thursday and Friday. It doesn’t look like the AC joint sprain he suffered last weekend will be a problem in Sunday’s game vs. the Ravens.
Rams TE Tyler Higbee (neck) is listed as doubtful for this weekend’s game vs. the Ravens. That leaves L.A. with TEs Hunter Long and Davis Allen. Neither is a fantasy option. Higbee’s absence figures to mean a few extra targets to go around for WRs Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.
Rams WR Puka Nacua (shoulder) was limited in Wednesday's practice. He sprained his AC joint last weekend but is fully expected to play vs. the Ravens this weekend.
Rams WR Puka Nacua sustained an AC joint sprain Sunday against the Browns, HC Sean McVay told reporters Monday. The Athletic's Jordan Rodrigue reports the "team may be careful with rest early in the week" but that it "sounds like" they expect Nacua to play in Week 14. We'll obviously track the rookie's status throughout the week.
Rams WR Cooper Kupp turned 8 targets into 6 catches, 39 yards, and 1 score in Week 13. He was out-produced by both Puka Nacua (4-105-1) and Demarcus Robinson (4-55-1). Three of Nacua’s catches came in the first quarter, as he was limited by rib/shoulder injuries. Still, Kupp wasn’t able to get much going in this one, beyond a short-range score that found him exploiting an open zone. That marked his first TD since Week 6. The 30-year-old has now been under 50 yards in six straight. He’ll profile as more of a WR2 for a tough Week 14 showdown at Baltimore. After that comes an ideal home matchup with Washington.
Rams WR Puka Nacua injured his ribs and shoulder on a diving catch in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Browns. He's officially questionable to return. Stay tuned for an update.
Update: Nacua returned for the start of the second half.
Search
