Schefter: Nacua could face suspension

Nacua did bring in a 41-yard connection in the first half, but outside of that, it was a disappointing first effort to the season for one of the best wideouts in the game. It’s tough to blame much — if any — of it on Nacua, as Matthew Stafford and the Rams’ passing attack were completely shut down by the 49ers’ defense. All things considered, it could have been worse. Nacua remains near the top of the wideout rankings for Week 2 against the Giants.

This, of course, is in reference to the civil lawsuit that was filed against Nacua that alleges he bit a woman and made an “unprovoked antisemitic sentiment.” The Rams receiver avoided being placed on the commissioner’s exempt list and will travel with the team to Australia to play in their season opener against the 49ers. Nacua has been dealing with a psoas injury since August, but head coach Sean McVay said they expect him to play in Week 1. Nacua profiles as a high-end WR1 against a familiar foe in the Niners.

McVay’s comments also relate to Nacua’s status with the league office. The 25-year-old wide receiver was at one point thought to be a suspension candidate, but the league has made no such ruling while doling out suspensions and Commissioner Exempt List placements elsewhere in the league. Rams LT Alaric Jackson was also a suspension candidate, but is expected to play in Week 1, per McVay. His presence positively impacts the Rams’ passing game outlook. Assuming he is active, Nacua can be treated as an elite WR1.

Nacua had been dealing with psoas soreness in August, working off to the side or missing Rams practices for most of the month. He returns to practice Sunday and should not be in danger of missing any regular season time due to the injury. With news that Nacua will avoid the commissioner’s exempt list, he is still a good bet to go in the middle of the first round in fantasy drafts.

Three players landed on what amounts to the “suspended with pay” list on Sunday, but Pelissero reports Nacua isn’t one of them. That does not necessarily mean Nacua is out of the woods for all time with the NFL, but his situation did not rise to the level of Josh Jacobs’ in the eyes of the shield. Now the main Week 1 question mark for Nacua is his groin injury, but it is not expected to keep him out of the Rams’ Australian opener vs. the 49ers.

We try not to go daily with training camp injuries, but Nacua has now missed the Rams’ entire slate of Saints sessions. Coach Sean McVay had previously said he would return this week. That still does not suggest anything other than standard summer caution, but it’s of course worth noting. For now there is no reason to alter course when it comes to selecting Nacua in the first round of fantasy drafts.

Nacua is entering the final year of his contract. Atkins writes that it is only a matter of time before “Nacua lands a monstrous extension,” but whether it comes from the Rams or another team, presumably via free agency or a trade, remains a question. Both the team and player reportedly “hope” that Nacua remains a Ram long term, and the team is “encouraged by some of the steps he’s taken this offseason.” The superstar wide receiver still has a civil suit that must be dealt with and the league has not yet clarified whether it intends to suspend him. For now, Nacua is a member of the Rams’ explosive offense and can be treated as a locked-in WR1, albeit with some suspension risk.

Nacua suffered a groin injury nearly a week ago and is still dealing with soreness. McVay said last week that he expects Nacua to return sometime this week, but the starting receiver was not on the field during Monday’s practice. McVay didn’t say which day he expects Nacua to be back, noting that the team prefers to “err on the side of caution” with soft-tissue injuries.

McVay was helpfully forthcoming with information today, telling reporters that Nacua’s absence is specifically due to soreness in his psoas muscle. Nacua does not seem to be at risk of missing any time in the regular season, and should return with more than enough time to ramp up for Week 1. He is deservedly a top-five pick in fantasy drafts.

This is mostly just for bookkeeping purposes, though it’s now been three days since Nacua was able to practice in full. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported Nacua is dealing with “minor soreness,” but “minor soreness” has a way of spiraling when teams aren’t required to actually be honest with their injury reports during training camp. The most important thing is, there has been zero indication Nacua’s Week 1 status is in doubt. We will let you know if that changes.