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    Puka Nacua (groin) still sidelined Thursday

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    LA Wide Receiver #12
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    Puka Nacua (groin) remained sidelined for Thursday’s joint practice with the Saints.

    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.
Cowboys' defense does not look improved
Andrew Perloff and Paul Pabst discuss the Dallas Cowboys defense after struggling against the New York Giants and if that unit will be improved after last season.

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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
    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
    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.
  • 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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  • HOU Wide Receiver #12
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    ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Nico Collins’ status for Week 2 against the Bengals “is in jeopardy” because of his hamstring injury.

    Collins suffered the hamstring injury during yesterday’s practice and immediately met with doctors. The team doesn’t believe the issue is serious, but that’s a cold comfort for a player with an extensive history of soft tissue injuries. Kayshon Boutte and Xavier Hutchinson will take on every-down roles if Collins misses Week 2. Neither player would push past the WR4 fantasy ranks. Second-year wideout Jaylin Noel would also see more work, though the team has been reluctant to play him much so far.
  • NO Long Snapper #49
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    Saints LS Zach Wood suffered a calf strain and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks.

    Wood felt calf tightness on Wednesday and was diagnosed with a Grade II calf strain after undergoing tests. The 33-year-old has not missed a game since signing with the Saints in 2017 but is now expected to be out for at least four weeks.
  • ARI Tight End #85
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    Cardinals TE Trey McBride (rest/back) did not participate in Wednesday’s practice.

    No need to panic after McBride was seen working off to the side Wednesday; the Cardinals listed him as DNP with a rest/back designation. Despite the back being added to the designation, it does not seem like a serious injury worry with the Cardinals also giving him the “resting player” tag. This reads as a rest day for McBride, he is still good to go for Week 2 against the Seahawks.
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    Seahawks S Nick Emmanwori (ankle/hip) was limited in Wednesday’s practice.

    Emmanwori is still unable to get in a full practice as he nurses a pesky ankle injury, also adding a hip issue to his practice designation. He will likely need a full practice before he is set to return for the Seahawks. Fellow safety Ty Okada (hamstring) missed practice on Wednesday; both players missed Week 1 and are in jeopardy of missing Week 2 against the Cardinals.
  • SEA Wide Receiver #10
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    Seahawks WR Cooper Kupp (back) was limited in Wednesday’s practice.

    Kupp popped up on the injury report with a back issue, though he was listed as a limited participant. The veteran 33-year-old may just be having his practice reps managed as he deals with a back ailment. Barring a change, Kupp is still trending to play Week 2 against the Cardinals.
  • SEA Wide Receiver #15
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    Seahawks WR Tory Horton (hamstring) was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.

    Horton missed Week 1, dealing with a hamstring injury from training camp. He now finally gets in a full practice, opening Week 2 with a full participation designation. The Seahawks are preparing for the 23-year-old to return against the Cardinals, though Horton is best left off fantasy rosters with Drew Lock the starting quarterback for now.
  • MIA Quarterback #2
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    Malik Willis (toe) was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.

    Willis popped up on the Dolphins’ injury report with a toe injury, though he was a full practice participant. This indicates the issue is minor enough for the 27-year-old to keep practicing at full strength. Note down Willis’ toe issue, but expect him to be back out there for Week 2 against the 49ers.
  • MIA Defensive End #44
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    Dolphins EDGE Chop Robinson (concussion protocol) was limited in Wednesday’s practice.

    Robinson appeared in Week 1 against the Raiders and is now in concussion protocol to open up Week 2. The 23-year-old has a history of concussions, entering the protocol twice last season. Robinson will be thoroughly evaluated before he officially returns, given this is his third head injury over the last calendar year.
  • CAR Wide Receiver #18
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    Panthers WR Jalen Coker (ankle) was limited in Wednesday’s practice.

    Coker was wearing a boot after rolling his left ankle in the Panthers’ Week 1 loss against the Bears. Head coach Dave Canales told reporters that the team is confident in ramping him up in practice. The 24-year-old got in a limited practice Wednesday, doing an “extended warm up” on the side and getting a “couple of snaps” on things the Panthers are looking for him to execute. Canales added the “hope is to ramp that up a little bit more tomorrow and then cut them loose Friday. So I expect him to play on Sunday.” Coker’s ankle injury is certainly something to keep an eye on, but Canales and the Panthers are confident he will play in Week 2 against the Falcons.
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    49ers K Eddy Pineiro (illness) did not participate in Wednesday’s practice.

    Pineiro was a non-participant in practice due to an illness. It’s still early in the week, so the 31-year-old kicker will likely return in time for Week 2 against the Dolphins.