The Los Angeles Rams are hoping to bounce back from a 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. They may have to do so without one of their top pass catchers.
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is dealing with a hip injury that kept him out of practice on Friday and Saturday. The 25-year-old was officially listed as "questionable" to play ahead of the team's Week 2 "Monday Night Football" game against the New York Giants because of that malady.
Nacua's potential absence would have a major impact on Los Angeles' offense. He led the Rams in targets (9), receptions (5) and receiving yards (74) in their season-opener against the 49ers after establishing himself as Matthew Stafford's clear-cut favorite target, notching an NFL-high
129 catches during his 2025 All-Pro season.
Fantasy football managers will also be eager to learn more about Nacua's status as they attempt to set their lineups for NFL Week 2.
Here are the latest updates about Nacua's status for the Rams' critical "Monday Night Football" game against the Giants.
Is Puka Nacua playing Week 2?
Nacua appears to be a true, game-time decision for the Rams' Week 2 game against the Giants.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Rams are considering Nacua "to be a pre-game decision." That indicates the Rams are unlikely to make a decision about the 25-year-old's status until just before Los Angeles releases its inactives list 90 minutes before Monday's game.
Puka Nacua injury update
Nacua is listed on the Rams' official injury report as having a hip problem, but coach Sean McVay indicated the receiver's specific issue is related to his groin in a news conference on Saturday, Sept. 19.
"He's got a little bit of soreness in that groin," McVay told reporters of Nacua. "[We're] being smart with him as a skilled player. Whether or not he plays is to be determined. And so, we'll see how he's feeling."
Nacua first popped up on the Rams' injury report Friday because of the malady. He was a non-participant at that practice and also did not practice on Saturday.
It isn't clear whether Nacua's current injury is related to the psoas injury he dealt with during training camp. The psoas is a core muscle used to move one's lower back, hips and upper legs, according the Cleveland Clinic.
Should I start Puka Nacua in fantasy football this week?
Nacua's uncertain status will lead to a difficult start-sit decision for fantasy football managers. Nacua is a lineup staple when healthy, but can you really risk including him in your lineup knowing he might not play?
Generally, the best advice would be to sit Nacua. The coin-flip nature of his availability will make him a risky start, and even if he plays, he may not be as sharp as usual if he's less than 100%.
That said, another strategy fantasy managers could employ would be to add insurance for Nacua. Picking up another receiver from the Giants or Rams would allow them to delay any decision about starting Nacua until his status is known.
In that instance, Giants receiver Malachi Fields might be the best option to target. The third-round rookie won New York's No. 2 receiver job and led the team with 50 offensive snaps played in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Meanwhile, the Rams' top options would be either Konata Mumpfield or Xavier Smith. Each is already set to step into a larger role with Los Angeles' typical No. 3 receiver, Jordan Whittington, doubtful because of a quad injury.
The final option with Nacua is to make a decision about his status just ahead of the late-afternoon window. At that point, fantasy managers will have a better idea whether they need the upside of Nacua to compete in their matchups or if they just need a safe option to pad their leads.
Such an option would be particularly viable for fantasy managers holding onto the likes of Stefon Diggs, Caleb Douglas, Josh Downs and Marvin Harrison Jr.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Puka Nacua playing Week 2? Injury update, fantasy outlook for Rams WR
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