Los Angeles Rams star wideout Puka Nacua has been one of the best offensive players in the NFL since entering the league last year as a rookie. Nacua showcased that Sunday night against the Lions with a solid first half of four catches for 35 receiving yards.
Unfortunately, the 23-year-old left the game and didn't return in the second half with a knee injury. Fantasy managers are surely wondering when the young star is expected to return.
When is Nacua coming back to action? What is his fantasy football outlook when he returns? Let's dive in.
Puka Nacua was initially being considered week-to-week after re-aggravating a summer knee injury in L.A.'s Sunday night loss to Detroit. However, Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters in his Monday press conference that Nacua will be placed on Injured Reserve with the knee sprain, a move that will result in the star wide receiver missing a minimum of four games, as confirmed by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Short of a season-ending injury, the decision to place Nacua on IR is an absolute disaster for both the Rams passing attack and fantasy managers who selected the star wide receiver early in 2024 drafts.
With Nacua now facing an extended period on the sidelines, Cooper Kupp will remain the primary target in the passing game, maintaining his dominant role in terms of target share.
Puka Nacua Fantasy Football Outlook
Nacua will immediately be a must-start when he returns to action. Even if he's not 100% healthy, he should have WR1 upside with Matthew Stafford.
In Nacua's absence, Tyler Johnson, Jordan Whittington, and Demarcus Robinson are expected to increase their snap counts significantly. With Nacua out at least four games, these are names that can now be considered on fantasy football waiver wires.
Superstar Cooper Kupp should be the biggest beneficiary of Nacua's absence, as we saw on Sunday night when Kupp received 21 targets against the Lions in Week 1.
Nacua's fantasy managers will have to try to survive in his absence. When he returns, he should be inserted back into starting lineups, as his talent and fantasy production could still lead teams to a fantasy championship down the stretch.
BREAKING: #Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua was CARTED off to the locker room, and has already been ruled OUT by the team.
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