Puka Nacua Out at Least Four Games

2024 Fantasy Football Impact

Landing on IR means Nacua will miss at least the next four games. Fortunately for him and the Rams, a Week 6 bye follows that four-game stretch.

That can only help the wideout's chances of returning as soon as he's eligible -- for a Week 7 home date with the Raiders. Of course, we'll have to watch for updates as that time approaches to see if Nacua's on track for that date.

Nacua is certainly worth keeping stashed on benches in all fantasy leagues.

His absence is a huge blow to this Rams passing game. Demarcus Robinson will ascend to the No. 2 WR job and, based on what we saw in Detroit, it'll be Tyler Johnson as the No. 3 WR. He ran 33 pass routes vs. the Lions compared to four for Tutu Atwell and 0 for Jordan Whittington.

Waiver Wire Targets

Robinson is the add here. He averaged 12.8 PPR points per game across the final seven meaningful regular-season games last year. And the majority of those came with both Nacua and Cooper Kupp healthy. Robinson has the upside to score as a WR3 for however long Nacua is out.

Other Winners & Losers

Kupp wound up with a massive 42% target share in Week 1. We can't expect that level of volume going forward, but he could certainly top a 30% share while Nacua is out.

TE Colby Parkinson also has a chance to see more targets over the next month. His 42 routes against the Lions trailed only Kupp, Robinson, and RB Kyren Williams. Parkinson's 5 targets ranked fourth in that game.

QB Matt Stafford will be tough to trust as a QB1 sans Nacua but will certainly remain in play for superflex and 2-QB leagues.