One of the biggest questions of the Week 2 NFL slate is whether Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua will play on Monday Night Football against the New York Giants?
It has been a question since Friday, when Nacua popped up on the injury report with a hip issue that head coach Sean McVay later called “some soreness” in his groin.
“Really, he’s got a little bit of soreness in that groin. Being smart with him as a skill player,” McVay said to reporters on Saturday.
Whether it’s a groin or hip, the fact of the matter is Nacua did not practice over the last two days of the week and appears to be on the wrong side of his questionable tag.
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Here’s all the information we have on the star wideout ahead of Monday night.
Is Puka Nacua playing tonight?
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) during the 2026 NFL Melbourne Game against the San Francisco 49ers at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
We do not have a definitive answer on Nacua’s status for the Week 2 game against the Giants, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter offered up a pessimistic report on “Sunday NFL Countdown.”
Schefter reported Nacua is “trending in the wrong direction” (h/t NBC Sports) when it comes to suiting up.
The girlfriend of Nacua’s brother caused quite a stir on Sunday night. She told commenters on social media that Nacua is playing before later walking that back (h/t New York Post).
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Given the fact that Nacua did not practice on Friday or Saturday, we would say Nacua is more likely to sit than play, and that’s something NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted on Monday morning.
Perhaps we’ll get some <a href="https://axiomcore.info/we-asked-chatgpt-where-xrp-goes-now-that-the-clarity-act-failed/” title=”We Asked ChatGPT Where XRP Goes Now That the CLARITY Act Failed”>clarity on the situationntil 90 minutes before kickoff, when the Rams release their inactives
Fantasy football impact if Nacua is ruled out
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (17) catches the ball against the New Orleans Saints during a joint practicy. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Not having Nacua on the field will downgrade quarterback Matthew Stafford, as Nacua is his No. 1 pass-catcher.
Nacua’s absence will, however, boost the stock of veteran wide receiver Davante Adams. He would become Stafford’s No. 1 target and a must-start in fantasy football.
Guys like wideouts Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield should also get a boost, although we would not suggest either one of them as fantasy football starters.
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Los Angeles’ tight ends may also see more work in the passing game if Nacua is sidelined, but trying to figure out which one is the best bet in a fantasy lineup will be tough.
The Rams have a fairly crowded room. Guys like Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson, Tyler Higbee and Davis Allen all get involved in the offense.
Last week, Parkinson took the most snaps out of the tight ends with 47, followed by Ferguson with 31, Allen with 21 and Higbee with 12.
Long story short: Adams is the guy you want to start in the event Nacua is ruled out, and Parkinson is probably the best bet among the tight ends.
The Rams visit the Giants at 8:15 p.m. ET Monday on ESPN and the ESPN app.
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