Early in training camp, the Los Angeles Rams revealed that receiver Puka Nacua would not practice with a knee injury. However, Sean McVay immediately played down any concerns of it being a major issue. Even so, any time a star fantasy football option misses time, it creates concern, and Nacua was absent for multiple weeks, missing all preseason action.
Let’s examine the latest injury updates for Nacua, see whether there is any risk of him missing Week 1, and look at his fantasy outlook for the upcoming season.
What Is the Latest on Puka Nacua’s Injury?
The very first update we got from McVay played down the concerns around Nacua’s injury. He described it as a bursa sac that he “kind of burst” and made it clear it should not have a long-term impact.
However, it is always good when a player can get back to practice and not suffer any ill effects, which has been the case for the Rams receiver.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
Nacua was back practicing last week, and McVay told reporters that he was practicing “fully” and that “he’ll be ready to roll.” Arguably, Nacua should not have any status on fantasy sites, but there is always an element of caution, especially when official NFL injury reports have not started being released for the 2024 season.
There is every chance we will not even see Nacua listed on the Week 1 injury report, but if we do, it will likely be precautionary. Barring any setback this week, Nacua is on track to play in Week 1.
Derek Tate’s Fantasy Outlook for Nacua
Nacua had an outstanding rookie season, finishing with 105 receptions for 1,486 yards on 160 targets. He ranked fourth in receiving yards, sixth in targets, and eighth in receptions, making him an elite fantasy asset in 2023.
Some may attribute Nacua’s early-season success to Cooper Kupp’s absence due to injury, as his fantasy points per game dropped from 23.9 in Weeks 1-4 to 15.6 after Kupp returned. However, Nacua continued to produce at a high level even with Kupp in the lineup, showcasing his ability to maintain relevance in the Rams’ offense.
While Nacua set the bar high in his rookie season, there’s room for improvement in 2024. His ability to excel against zone coverage and generate yards after the catch gives him a solid floor. Additionally, Kupp’s injury history could elevate Nacua’s role, making him a WR1 if Kupp misses time.
Nacua is firmly entrenched as a 1A/1B option in the Rams’ passing attack. His utilization by Sean McVay ensures a high weekly floor, with an elite ceiling in a pass-heavy offense, making him a valuable fantasy asset heading into 2024.
Nacua’s current ADP of 14th overall as the WR7 places him as a late first-round or early second-round pick. In full PPR formats, this price point is justified given his proven production. However, in standard or half-PPR formats, his value may be slightly lower, as he remains the second option behind Kupp in the red zone.