Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua was declared inactive for Monday Night Football against the New York Giants after developing unexpected hip and groin tightness following practice late in the week, leaving quarterback Matthew Stafford without his primary target.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is officially inactive for tonight’s Monday Night Football matchup against the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium.
The Los Angeles Rams will be without Puka Nacua for Monday Night Football against the New York Giants, removing Matthew Stafford’s most productive Week 1 target from an offense already trying to rebound from a rough opener.
Nacua was officially declared inactive before kickoff because of the hip injury that kept him out of practice Friday and Saturday.
The designation ends several days of uncertainty after the Rams initially left the door open for their star receiver to test the injury during pregame warmups.
Late-Week Injury Frustrates Rams Offense Before Giants Clash
The Los Angeles Rams walked into SoFi Stadium without their most productive pass catcher after declaring Puka Nacua inactive ahead of kickoff against the New York Giants.
Nacua was not listed on the injury report after Thursday’s practice, but soreness developed afterward.
The Rams officially labeled the issue a hip injury, while head coach Sean McVay described it Friday as soreness in Nacua’s groin.
McVay said Nacua “felt good” during Thursday’s practice but did not feel completely like himself when trying to open up and reach full speed.
Los Angeles responded by holding him out of both Friday and Saturday practices before listing him as questionable.
Puka Nacua officially out for Monday Night Football as
Puka Nacua popped up on the injury report after the Los Angeles Rams’ second practice of the week on Friday, sitting out due to a hip injury.
He then missed Saturday’s session, too, leading to him officially being listed as questionable to play against the New York Giants on Monday night.
It’s a different injury than the psoas issue he dealt with during preseason practices, but it’s still serious enough to potentially keep him out of action tonight at SoFi Stadium.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Sunday that Nacua was trending the “wrong way” in terms of his chances of playing, but he’s still viewed as a game-time decision.
Update: Nacua is inactive for the Rams due to his hip injury.
He will not play against the Giants, which is his first missed game since Week 7 of last season.
League insiders tracked the deteriorating status throughout the weekend.
He’s trending the wrong way right now,
Schefter reported on Sunday NFL Countdown
on September 20.
He’s been sidelined the last two days with a hip and a groin (psoas) injury.
The Rams say he’s questionable.
They won’t make a decision until pre-game.
But it certainly does not sound like it is moving in the right direction.
What Happened to Puka Nacua? A Look at Why
If you have Puka Nacua in your fantasy lineup, you need to have other plans.
Rams consider WR Puka Nacua, listed as questionable for Monday night’s game vs. the Giants due to a hip injury, to be a pre-game decision.
I think if he’s going to end up playing he has to do something to convince them that he’s good to go,
Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer said on Sunday, per Rotowire’s Ian Hartitz.
Nacua was added to the injury report on Friday, so it would appear he might have gotten hurt during the team’s first practice of the week on Thursday.
Weighing Precautions Against Preseason History
The current setback differs from the psoas issue he dealt with during preseason practices.
Nacua, who did not practice on Friday and Saturday, spent most of the preseason period on the sidelines nursing a psoas (core/lower back) injury.
Rams coach Sean McVay said Saturday that Nacua’s hip injury is unrelated to his preseason ailment.
Los Angeles WR Puka Nacua (hip) has been declared inactive for the Week 2 game.
Reconfiguring the Passing Game Without Top Targets
Is Rams WR playing today vs. Giants
Fantasy players will need to see if Nacua will be available for the Week 3 game on short rest.
Konata Mumpfield will probably receive a few more targets this week but is only a possible flex option in very deep leagues.
Davante Adams is the only Rams receiver that should be a starting fantasy option.
Terrance Ferguson may also see a boost in his fantasy value with Nacua out.
The star receiver joins star edge rusher Myles Garrett as unavailable for Week 2, after Garrett underwent knee surgery last Monday and was placed on the injured reserve.
Wide receiver Jordan Whittington (quadriceps), the direct backup to Nacua, is also inactive on Monday night.
Wide receiver Tutu Atwell, whom the Rams acquired in a trade just before roster day, continuing his lengthy run with the franchise after signing with the Miami Dolphins in the offseason, is active for the Rams after being inactive du
Defensive Boost Amid Offensive Shufflings
The Rams enter the matchup looking to avoid an 0-2 start after losing their opener.
Nacua was sidelined after developing hip and groin tightness following practice late in the week, prompting head coach Sean McVay and the medical staff to exercise caution.
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