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    McVay expects Nacua (groin) to return next week

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    LA Wide Receiver #12
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    Rams coach Sean McVay said he expects WR Puka Nacua (groin) to be back at practice next week, “ready to go.”

    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.
NFL Week 1 Preview: Ravens vs. Colts
Connor Rogers and Chris Simms analyze the Baltimore Ravens' vs. Indianapolis Colts' week one matchup; Rogers and Simms believe the Ravens will win despite uncertainty with new coaching staff hires.

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  • LA Wide Receiver #12
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    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.
  • LA Wide Receiver #12
    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.
  • LA Wide Receiver #12
    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.
  • LA Wide Receiver #12
    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.
  • LA Wide Receiver #12
    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.
  • LA Wide Receiver #12
    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.
  • LA Wide Receiver #12
    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.
  • LA Wide Receiver #12
    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.
  • LA Wide Receiver #12
    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.
  • LA Wide Receiver #12
    Nacua left practice with a trainer early on Tuesday. Head coach Sean McVay initially was unsure on what Nacua was dealing with, but Rapoport now reports the 25-year-old is managing groin soreness. The Rams are being cautious with a minor injury but no reason for fantasy managers to fret; Nacua may miss some preseason time but there is no indication he is in danger of missing any regular season games.

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  • ARI Outside Linebacker #10
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    Cardinals EDGE Josh Sweat (knee/rest) is not on the final injury report and will play in Week 1 against the Chargers.

    Sweat upgraded to full participation today, which is good news. The Cardinals’ pass rusher was reportedly unhappy with the team this offseason and was ultimately placed on the physically unable to perform list. Today, GM Monti Ossenfort revealed that Sweat had an “offseason procedure,” presumably on his knee. The two sides appear to have resolved their issues, and Sweat is seemingly good to go after a successful rehab.
  • JAC Running Back #5
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    Jaguars RB LeQuint Allen (hip) is questionable for Week 1 against the Browns.

    Allen was expected to take on an expanded receiving role, in addition to his pass-protection duties, but a hip injury has stalled that plan. If active, he is unlikely to do more than help keep QB Trevor Lawrence upright. If he is inactive, the team could employ a committee approach in addressing his vacated duties.
  • GB Wide Receiver #16
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    Packers signed WR Bo Melton to the practice squad.

    Melton rejoins the Packers via the taxi squad after roughly two hours away. He is not on the fantasy radar at this time.
  • JAC Wide Receiver #3
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    Jaguars WR Jakobi Meyers (thumb) is not on the final injury report and will play in Week 1 against the Browns.

    Meyers remained limited all week and was seen wearing a non-contact jersey on Wednesday. It is fair to wonder if both WR Parker Washington and WR Brian Thomas will get more plays dialed up for them this week, but Meyers notably led the Jaguars in targets after last year’s in-season trade, so he should not be written off. Treat him as a FLEX against the Browns, potentially operating in the team’s WR3 role.
  • JAC Offensive Lineman #70
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    Jaguars OT Cole Van Lanen (knee) was removed from the injury report for Week 1 against the Browns.

    Van Lanen should at least be active, although he is not guaranteed to start. The veteran blocker broke out last year, playing all across the line before settling in at left tackle. He suffered a knee injury in Week 18, which forced the coaching staff to get OT Anton Harrison for left tackle duties while penciling Van Lanen in at right tackle. The team also has capable OT Walker Little at the ready. Unfortunately, Harrison appeared on the injury report with a foot injury and was unable to practice on Friday. Hopefully, his sidelining was a precaution and he is not seriously injured. Stay tuned.
  • KC Defensive Tackle #95
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    Chiefs DT Chris Jones (calf) was added to the injury report on Friday.

    Jones was officially limited today, which likely means he injured his calf in practice. Depending on the severity, this injury could cost him Week 1. He is one of the best interior defenders in the league. This one is worth watching.
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    Raiders ruled out TE Brock Bowers (knee) for Week 1 against the Dolphins.

    Earlier today, Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said he was initially optimistic that Bowers could play in Week 1, even after undergoing a recent meniscus trim, which is surprising. Kubiak, however, declined to discuss an updated return timeline for his star tight end. We do not yet know when he is expected back. In the meantime, Michael Mayer is a TE1 this week.
  • LV Running Back #2
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    Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty (ankle) is not on the final injury report and will play in Week 1 against the Dolphins.

    Jeanty practiced fully this week, setting him up for a solid workload against a soft defense. When he takes the field on Sunday, it will be exactly three weeks since he suffered his ankle injury. During that span, rookie RB Mike Washington seemingly carved out a rotational role for himself, though Jeanty still warrants RB1 treatment.
  • DAL Running Back #20
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    ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Cowboys “are bracing for an extended absence” after RB Malik Davis suffered a hip injury on Friday.

    Regarding Davis’ injury, Fowler’s source said simply, “it’s bad.” The Cowboys’ No. 2 running back is undergoing further testing, but we expect them to place him on injured reserve before long. The Cowboys waived RB Jaydon Blue and RB Phil Mafah last month. Blue has since signed with the Eagles’ practice squad. Currently, only RB Israel Abanikanda resides on the practice squad in Dallas.
  • LAC Outside Linebacker #45
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    Chargers EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu (hip) is questionable to play in Week 1 against the Cardinals.

    Tuipulotu was limited all week by a hip injury. He is also seeking a lucrative contract extension after leading the team with 70 quarterback pressures and 13 sacks last season. He held in during training camp. The Chargers ruled out CB Deane Leonard (abdomen).