Nacua (hip) doubtful Week 3, likely back Week 4

Ferguson briefly departed after injuring his ankle in the team’s Sunday Night Football loss to the Broncos, returning for two snaps prior to departing again after his lone reception of the evening. The ankle injury now appears likely to cost the talented young tight end at least one game, with the potential for the absence to linger if the sprain is “more high than low.” McVay also relayed that fellow tight end Colby Parkinson suffered an AC sprain and is considered day-to-day. Veteran Tyler Higbee would be in line to operate as the primary receiving tight end after amassing 62 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions in Week 3, should both miss. Higbee should be added in all formats as a potential TE1 in the immediate future.

We continue to get very little concrete news from McVay and the Rams regarding the injury, expected status, or recovery timeline for star wide receiver Puka Nacua. The most conclusive information given the previous two weeks is that the groin injury Nacua is dealing with is not related to the psoas injury he dealt with this offseason, although some have speculated that the verbiage used to describe the injury sounded like a sports hernia. Even that is pure speculation. Fantasy managers are left waiting in the holding pattern for more concrete news from their first-round fantasy selection. Davante Adams would clearly be in line to benefit from another absence after setting a career-high in receiving yards in consecutive games the previous two weeks.

Ferguson initially departed after being tangled up on a target in the first quarter. He was taken to the locker room for x-rays but returned after missing only one drive. He would then depart again following his lone reception and would not return the rest of the game. Ferguson caught 1-of-2 targets for nine yards prior to departing for good. His status for Week 4 would appear to be murky at this point.

Ferguson got tangled up on a target half way through the first quarter and limped to the sideline under his own power. He was then escorted to the locker room for x-rays. No additional update has been provided.

Nacua came into the weekend listed as doubtful but was seen working out before the game to see if he would be able to go. He’ll ultimately be held out for the second consecutive game as the Rams look to improve to 2-1. Davante Adams vaults into the top-tier WR1 range in Nacua’s absence. Also inactive for the Rams are DB Kam Kinchens, WR CJ Daniels, WR Tutu Atwell, QB Ty Simpson, S Maximus Pulley, and OL Bill Murray

Schefter noted that the team doesn’t believe he will need surgery, but it could be an option if things don’t improve. The team is listing it as a hip injury, but the main issue has been a groin injury which would presumably require core muscle surgery. That would sideline him for multiple months. Schefter added that Nacua could return as soon as Week 4 if he does improve. Nacua did not practice once this week before being listed as doubtful versus Denver. Nacua’s short and long-term status hangs in the balance right now. It sounds like we’ll know pretty soon whether this is a lost season or not.

Parkinson did not practice once this week because of the knee issue, so it’s a bit of a surprise that McVay sounds optimistic about him suiting up today. The team may have kept him out of practice as a precaution. He will handle an inline tight end role while Terrance Ferguson handles de facto WR2 duties with Puka Nacua out. Ferguson remains in the TE1 mix while Parkinson is a touchdown-or-bust TE2.

Ferguson is set to handle No. 2 pass-catcher duties with WR Puka Nacua (hip) sidelined this week. The young tight end posted a 6/54/1 receiving line in Week 2 and can be viewed as a TE1 in this matchup.

Ferguson should be good to go for the Rams’ Week 3 game against the Broncos. He posted a 6/54/1 receiving line with WR1 Puka Nacua (hip) sidelined last week and could again serve as the Rams’ de facto No. 2 pass-catcher this week.

Nacua seems unlikely to play in Week 3 against the Broncos. Rams coach Sean McVay said earlier today that Nacua is “not making great progress,” and his practice participation level reflects that. Rams WR Davante Adams can be treated as a WR1 this week if Nacua is unable to play.