Puka Nacua injury update: Will Rams WR play in Week 9 against Seahawks?

Los Angeles Rams The offense finally took off last week with the return of wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua to the lineup. On offensive returns, the wide receiver duo combined for 12 catches for 157 yards and a touchdown. Despite starting the season 1-4, the Rams have won two straight since then. There is an important away league match in the 9th week. Seattle Seahawks and we hope both wide receivers are available.

Puka Nacua’s injury status

According to Jourdan Rodrigue of The AthleticNacua will be listed as questionable heading into Sunday with a knee injury. The Rams wide receiver has been dealing with a knee injury since the summer. He ruptured his bursa sac in training camp and was injured again in Week 1, which put him on injured reserve. Nacua returned last week and re-aggravated the injury during practice on Thursday.

The good thing is that no structural damage occurred so Nacua should not miss any significant time. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said on Friday:

“Puka Nacua will be fine. After talking to a few sources, I understand there are no major injuries, there won’t be much of a problem in the future… They’ll leave the door open for him if possible.”

Nacua will likely be a game-time decision and a player to watch on Sunday. The Rams will play the Seahawks later in the game at 4:25 PM ET.

What does Puka Nacua’s injury mean for fantasy football?

When Puka Nacua stepped onto the court this season, he showed why he is a popular second-round pick in fantasy drafts. Last week Nacua was in the WR15 with 18.1 PPR points. Nacua’s problem was injuries and availability.

As seen last week, Nacua should be expected to receive a full workload if he plays. The Rams are in the ‘now or never’ phase of the season. With a big league game against the Seahawks, they won’t mess around and put Nacua on any snap counts. If Nacua plays, he will be a prominent player in attack.

But the Rams will still play him smartly. Rams head coach Sean McVay said Friday:

“I wouldn’t bet against this guy. My expectation is that he does everything he can to be ready to roll, and we have that mindset. “We’ll be smart with him, turn him over and try to get as good a feel as possible in his knee on game day.”

If Nacua can’t go, Kupp will be the real winner from a fantasy perspective. The connection Matthew Stafford and Kupp have had over the last four years is undeniable. Kupp is Stafford’s most trusted wide receiver, especially if Nacua isn’t playing.

Other players to watch out for here will be Jordan Whittington and Tyler Johnson. The Rams have used Whittington in the Nacua role on offense this season. In weeks 4 and 5, the rookie out of Texas combined for 13 receptions for 151 yards and was the WR24 in those two weeks. However, Whittington missed last week with a shoulder injury and was once again listed as questionable against the Seahawks.

With Nacua out of the lineup in Week 2, Johnson had 87 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. Coaches have specific roles for each wide receiver position. If Nacua cannot play, Whittington would be the first player to step into that role, while Johnson would be the next player on the depth chart.