NFL Fantasy Rumors: ‘Optimism’ Puka Nacua May Return from Injury for Rams vs. Vikings

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVOctober 24, 2024

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has been activated from injured reserve and will play on Thursday against the Minnesota Vikings after missing the past five games with a sprained PCL in his knee.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted the roster move, adding Nacua would not play “a normal snap count” in Thursday night’s game.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted around an hour before kickoff that both Nacua and Cooper Kupp would be active against the Vikings.

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterRams WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua both are active tonight vs. Vikings. pic.twitter.com/T3SPQDdedz

The Rams opened Nacua’s 21-day practice window on Tuesday and had listed him as questionable for Thursday night despite only being a limited participant in practice this week.

Nacua was injured during the Rams’ Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions, finishing the game with four receptions for 35 yards and one carry for seven yards.

L.A. selected Nacua in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft out of BYU, and he unexpectedly had one of the greatest rookie seasons ever by a wide receiver.

Nacua set the NFL rookie records for receptions (105) and receiving yardage (1,486) in a season, while also scoring six touchdowns and rushing for an additional 89 yards.

NFL @NFLPuka catch and run down the sideline for 80 yards!

📺: #LARvsNYG on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/sFjqko01pD pic.twitter.com/n8N5XtOVWk

He quickly established himself as quarterback Matthew Stafford’s favorite target due in part to the fact that fellow wideout Cooper Kupp was banged up for much of the year and missed five games.

Kupp was expected to put up big numbers this season after Nacua got injured, but he suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 and has missed the Rams’ past four games.

Despite returning to practice on a limited basis last week, Kupp did not play in the Rams’ win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but he practiced in full this week and was removed from the injury report ahead of Thursday’s game.

This season has been a struggle for Stafford thus far, as he has thrown for 1,392 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions in six games, but much of that can be attributed to the absence of his top two weapons in the passing game.

Kupp’s return should provide a huge boost, and Nacua playing would be big for Stafford as well even if he is somewhat limited.

Nacua was such a dynamic playmaker last season that the Minnesota defense will at least have to account for him if he plays, which should in turn open things up for Kupp and other receivers.

From a fantasy football perspective, Kupp is a must-start player this week, whereas Nacua may be best left on the bench unless the other options are lacking.

It is possible Nacua may be more of a decoy than a significant part of the offensive gameplan if he plays, which wouldn’t translate to much fantasy production.