Week 1 was a great reminder of why we all love fantasy football.
At quarterback, Bryce Young scored more points than Drake Maye, Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford, Kyler Murray and Sam Darnold combined. At running back, two Bears finished inside the top-10 while Christian McCaffrey was out-carried by a rookie. The current WR1, Jalen ****** er, had more fantasy points than Puka Nacua, DeVonta Smith, Drake London, George Pickens and Ja'Marr Chase combined. Finally, the currently list of TE1s includes Mike Gesicki, Pat Freiermuth, T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant, Cole Kmet and Kenyon Sadiq. Fun.
Thankfully, we can already start looking ahead to Week 2.
Here's an early look at Week 2 fantasy football rankings. Toggle between standard, half PPR (point per reception) and full PPR to see where players rank in your league's format. Scroll to the bottom to view the complete rankings.
Our team at USA TODAY Sports has you covered with plenty of content to help with your Week 2 waiver wire and roster decisions. Looking for up-to-date player news? We've got it. Wondering who the best waiver-wire claims are? We have that covered, so you can make your pickups. Need to know what players you can drop? We have that as well. We also have a list of the eight best buy low/sell high candidates and our biggest winners and losers from Week 1.

#drake #looking #Football #list

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.— The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2026 season with Super Bowl expectations, a star-studded roster and perhaps more overall talent than any team in the NFL.
Things didn't start so well and after their 27-7 season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers, one question deserves more attention: Do the Rams have enough game-breaking speed on both sides of the football?
It may seem like a strange question for a roster featuring great talents like Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, Davante Adams, Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald. But when the Rams were unable to create explosive plays against San Francisco.
Their lack of speed and explosiveness became difficult to ignore.
The offense is built around precision, timing and physicality. Nacua remains one of the NFL's most dangerous playmakers, while Williams has proven capable of producing consistently in the running game. Adams brings Hall of Fame-caliber route running and contested-catch ability.

#Rams #francisco #adams #speed

The Los Angeles Rams time in Melbourne, Australia was short-lived and that might be for the best as LA suffered a 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night (Friday morning for others). Some might question the Rams decision to fly in the day before the game, although that did not seem to be a significant influence on the outcome in my opinion. Why did the Rams lose? Well here are 4 takeaways from Los Angeles's week one loss to their division rivals.
After picking off a Brock Purdy pass, Stafford turned the ball back over to the San Francisco 49ers on 3rd & 10 from the SF 35. Instead of taking his underneath option (Terrance Ferguson), Stafford tried to force a pass on a deep corner to Puka Nacua. The ball was underthrown; giving SF momentum and taking 3 points off the board for LA. Had the Rams kicked the field goal on 4th down, they would have had a 10-3 lead.
The other self-inflicted mistake was the turnover on downs with 3:46 left in the 3rd quarter. The Rams could not punch the ball in the endzone from 2nd, 3rd, and 4th & Goal (all within the 3 yard line). The latter being 4th & 1/2 yard. Those are simply must-have situations when down 10.
The Rams allowed 30 rushing attempts for 174 yards (5.8 yards per carry). The Rams won't beat a Kyle Shanahan offense with that type of formula. No, it wasn't because Aaron Donald was inactive. The Rams simply did not win the trenches getting pushed off the ball. Chris Shula will need to take a deep look at how to counter the 49ers usage of chips on his edge players as Myles Garrett was a non-factor in rushing the passer but also in defending the run.
The Rams offense was one of the best in 2025 because they were constantly in favorable down & distances. In this game against the 49ers, their 3rd down distances were: 5 yards, 2 yards, 6 yards, 10 yards, 13 yards, 1 yard, 2 yards, 15 yards, and 10 yards. The only true conversion was on 3rd & 2 via a Kyren Williams run. The other conversion was via defensive pass interference call late in the game.

#ball #game #pass #francisco

The Los Angeles Rams played their NFL Week 1 game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia.
When do the Rams play next on the 2026 NFL schedule?
Where will Los Angeles play in NFL Week 2?
Who do the Los Angeles Rams play next in their Week 2 NFL game?
Here's what to know about the upcoming schedule for Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davonte Adams, Myles Garrett and the Los Angeles NFL team's NFL Week 2 game.

#angeles #game #schedule #sept

Puka Nacua has opened up about his struggles with alcohol, therapy and rehabilitation ahead of the Los Angeles Rams' season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne.
Speaking to Netflix's Elle Duncan, Nacua admitted he had used alcohol to escape the pressure building around him as his NFL career took off.
Nacua's rise has been remarkably quick. The former fifth-round pick became a star almost immediately, while last season he led the NFL with 129 receptions and finished with 1,715 receiving yards.
Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
The Rams receiver said becoming a public figure, maintaining a high level of performance and becoming a father all contributed to the stress he was carrying.

#Rams #season #angeles #francisco

The San Francisco 49ers defense was on the field first, and it didn't take long for Fred Warner and Nick Bosa to make an impact.
Bosa hit Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford on his first dropback. He followed that up with a tackle for loss on the ensuing drive. Warner broke up the intended pass to Puka Nacua.
After Deommodore Lenoir made a tackle, the Rams went three-and-out.
Brock Purdy used his shiny new toy on his first third down of the game. Evans beat Quentin Lake for a seven-yard reception to move the sticks. It came after an inexplicable drop.
Purdy played with fire on the first drive, after a Drake Maye impersonation. Purdy threw off his back foot, and the throw was nearly intercepted just shy of the end zone. Thankfully, Trent McDuffie landed out of bounds.

#warner #francisco

The Los Angeles Rams, the heavy Super Bowl favorites entering the season, opened the year in the NFL's first-ever game in Melbourne, Australia, against the San Francisco 49ers. The majority of the attention the Rams have gotten this offseason has been centered on the defensive line, which was bolstered by the acquisition of the NFL's single-season sack record holder Myles Garrett and the return of Aaron Donald from retirement.
However, Los Angeles also has one of the most potent offenses in the league, with reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford passing to two of the best wide receivers in the league, Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. Unfortunately for Nacua, he's been caught up in some off-the-field trouble recently.
Ahead of kickoff on Thursday, Nacua sat down with Netflix's Elle Duncan and spoke candidly about his struggles wth alcohol.
"I think I learned that I'm very avoidant of conflict, which is very interesting due to the football nature of… I would like to say I play very physical, just avoidant of the things that I know were causing me stress," Nacua told Duncan.
"Just, I think some of the change in lifestyle that came up to me, becoming a public figure, the stress of performing at a high level," he responded after being asked what was causing him stress. "And then I recently became a father. My son is 10 months old. And navigating that co-parenting relationship with his mother, I would kind of isolate myself to feel like the weight of all the issues and things that I have was stuck on my shoulders, and not being willing to ask for help. I was never one to share my fears and my worries. I was always Finding different ways to escape, I guess, from that tension or that stress."

#recently

The San Francisco 49ers forced their first turnover of the 2026 NFL season in the second quarter of their Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
Cornerback Renardo Green, covering Rams reciever Puka Nacua, hauled in the interception at the 49ers' 13-yard line with 8:52 left in the second quarter. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, from the 49ers' 35-yard line, tried to hit Nacua on a long pass, but Green intercepted it.
Watch the play:
Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who the 49ers acquired in an offseason trade with the Dallas Cowboys, could claim the ****** ist on this turnover after forcing Stafford to attempt the pass a bit earlier than he may have wanted.
That was Green's second career interception, as the third-year cornerback had just one other in his previous two seasons. Green, 25, was a second-round pick in 2024 out of Florida State.

#turnover

MIAMI, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Ja'Marr Chase leads my Top 50 fantasy football wide receiver rankings for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
CeeDee Lamb, Puka Nacua, Justin Jefferson and A.J. Brown are my other Top-5 options for the slate of season openers. Tee Higgins, DeVonta Smith, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Zay Flowers are inside the Top 10 of my list.
Make sure to set your starting lineups before 8:20 p.m. EDT Wednesday, when the Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots in the first game of the 2026-27 campaign. Continue to monitor reports leading into the next wave of games, as injuries and other developments could impact your lineup.
My weekly rankings are based on potential role in offense, likely game script, previous performance and strength of opponent. They will be adjusted throughout Week 1.
Week 1 wide receiver rankings

#week

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay expects that both star wide receiver Puka Nacua and left tackle Alaric Jackson to be on the field on Thursday in Melbourne.
McVay said Sunday that he doesn't believe either player will be suspended for their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers despite their respective off-field issues in recent months.
"Absolutely," McVay said Sunday when asked if he thought both players would be available, via ESPN's Sarah Barshop. "That's what I've heard. I haven't heard anything different."
A woman filed a lawsuit against Nacua earlier this offseason, accusing him of making antisemitic statement and biting her shoulder. The woman cited gender violence, ***** ault and battery, and negligence in her lawsuit. Nacua has denied the allegations against him.
Nacua was also involved in several incidents last season, including appearing on a live stream before a game and agreeing to perform an antisemitic touchdown celebration. Nacua entered a holistic care facility this past offseason to focus on his personal growth, and has been practicing and preparing for the 2026 campaign normally with the Rams.

#sunday

Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua (groin) is making good progress in his recovery, according to head coach Sean McVay.
SOURCE: Sarah Barshop - ESPN
Why It Matters: Nacua missed a good part of the preseason because of the injury, so fantasy players will need to check on his practice participation leading up to the Week 1 game. He is one of the best receivers in the NFL and will be a starting option in all fantasy leagues if he is cleared to play.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Puka Nacua making progress

#puka #making #progress #fantasy

Many fantasy football managers will employ a late-round TE strategy going into their drafts. Once you get past the handful of elite options at TE, things get pretty flat pretty quick. With that in mind, Yahoo **** ysts Hayden Winks, Justin Boone and Scott Pianowski give you their favorite sleeper tight end for the 2026 season.
Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2026 NFL season
If you want the most terminally online deep sleeper, Ferguson is your guy. The 2025 second-round pick played in the most absurd role in tight end history last year under coach Sean McVay. Ferguson largely played a vertical receiving role in 2- and 3-TE sets as a downfield receiver in disguise. His average depth of target was 17.9 yards downfield. Only Tyquan Thornton, Alec Pierce and Kyle Williams were targeted more downfield!!! That will boggle the mind. Fast-forward to this year, the Rams need better talent at "WR," and Ferguson could be the answer based on what he provided last season. Davante Adams was dangled in trade discussions open to the public after a down season beyond the goal line, and trading for Tutu Atwell on Aug. 27 is never a great sign for the rest of the room. There's a chance (25%) that Ferguson is viewed as the team's WR3 this season. McVay's done crazy things like this before with Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, Kyren Williams, Blake Corum and 3-TE sets. — Hayden Winks
Subscribe to Fantasy Ultra to unlock our Strategy Lab, 150+ page Draft Playbook and more!
The loss of a true breakout receiver in Jayden Higgins will have significant ramifications on the Texans' passing attack. Nico Collins is an elite top target, with Jaylin Noel and Kayshon Boutte as quality contributors. However, fantasy managers shouldn't sleep on Dalton Schultz. The veteran tight end seems like a boring pick, but he's quietly coming off a strong fantasy campaign where he averaged the 11th-most points at his position over the final 13 weeks. That included finishing tied for third in receptions among tight ends (82) and sixth in receiving yards (777). With Higgins sidelined for the season, Schultz now has a chance to be C.J. Stroud's No. 2 target once again. You're not going to impress your leaguemates by taking the 30-year-old Texans tight end. But if you somehow miss out on the top-13 options at the position, Schultz is in the next group of high-end TE2s who could easily end the year as a fantasy TE1. — Justin Boone

#tight #schultz #downfield

Ten months ago, the Los Angeles Rams conducted an audacious experiment.
They sought to reduce the toll that transatlantic travel takes on players' bodies by approaching a game in London like a hit-and-run mission.
Instead of flying out a few days before kickoff the way most NFL teams do, the Rams arrived in London just a day before facing the Jacksonville Jaguars and began their journey home soon after the final whistle. There would be no need for body clocks to adapt to the eight-hour time difference, the Rams theorized, if the trip was as short as possible.
Poking holes in the Rams' tactics became harder over the course of a crisp 35-7 pummeling of a Jaguars team that only lost three other games last regular season. "The way the guys played showed it was the right decision," Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters after his team brushed off the absence of injured star receiver Puka Nakua, charged to a 21-0 halftime lead and coasted to a blowout victory.
Emboldened by last year's successful trial run, the Rams are getting even more daring. They're applying the same philosophy to the longest trip in NFL history, a 16-hour flight to Melbourne, Australia, covering nearly 8,000 miles. Australia hosts its first NFL game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, September 11 when the Super Bowl favorite Rams open their season against the San Francisco 49ers. Kickoff is at 10:35 a.m. in Melbourne so that the game airs in prime time on Thursday, September 10 back in the U.S.

#jaguars

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is still being investigated by the NFL before Week 1, and new personal news about him came out on Tuesday.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) during Rams training camp at the Loyola Marymount University on Monday, July 27th in Westchester, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) during Rams training camp at the Loyola Marymount University on Monday, July 27th in Westchester, CA.
Hallie Aiono and Nacua met at BYU and started dating in 2021. They were together for about four years. In June, before having her baby in October, Aiono went to court to prove Nacua is the father, ask for custody, and get child support.

#angeles #puka

There was a very familiar face back at practice on Sunday, and we're not talking about Puka Nacua. Aaron Donald, who announced his return to the NFL before final roster cuts, was on the practice field for the first time since retiring after the 2023 season.
The Rams are working him back into the picture along the defensive line with less than two weeks to go until the season opener. For a guy who's always stayed in shape, it seemingly shouldn't take too long for him to be game-ready, but Sean McVay isn't going to put any timelines on things.
He told reporters after practice on Sunday that the team is going to take it one day at a time with Donald, ramping things up as the season approaches. So will he play in Week 1 against the 49ers? That's to be determined, McVay suggests.
"Good to be able to get Aaron back into the mix," McVay said. "You guys know how close we are and there's been a lot of dialogue that we've had and excited to be able to just take it a day at a time. I'm not going to talk about any sort of plans. It's going to be a day at a time for us. What does that mean for Australia? The first step was, all right, if you're coming back, let's do that, let's get you on the practice field, let's get you acclimated to your teammates, to your coaches, and then we'll see what that ramp-up period looks like, whether or not he's available or whether or not we think it's best to be able to play him in Australia. I think the best way to do it is to take it one day at a time, but we're obviously excited to be able to have him back."
On Sunday, Donald went through individual drills with the defensive linemen before heading back to the locker room, Gary Klein of the LA Times reports. That's not surprising with this being his first practice back.

#sunday #able #first

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua was seen enjoying himself and dancing at a Jewish Bat Mitzvah in LA on Sunday. This celebration comes eight months after Nacua faced major backlash for using an offensive, antisemitic gesture.
Puka Nacua #17 of the Los Angeles Rams smiles before the game against Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium on January 5, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
Ric Tapia - The Sporting Tribune
Puka Nacua #17 of the Los Angeles Rams smiles before the game against Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium on January 5, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
Back on Dec. 16, Nacua joined streamers Adin Ross and N3on on a live broadcast, where Ross suggested a new touchdown celebration for him. The move, leaning forward and rubbing his hands, carries deeply offensive, antisemitic connotations, as per reports. Seemingly unaware of the gesture's harmful meaning, Nacua agreed to use it in his upcoming game with the Rams.

#nacua #Seattle #sofi

Puka Nacua, one of the best wide receivers in the NFL and a star for the Los Angeles Rams, has had a tumultuous offseason, including allegations that he bit a woman and two instances of alleged antisemitism.
It seems he's working to rectify his issues though, first by entering rehab and now by building a relationship with the Jewish community in LA.
Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Michael Duarte of the California Post reported that Nacua was spotted at a Bat Mitzvah on Aug. 23, and footage from the event captured a smiling Nacua dancing and clapping with the music.
"The Rams star wide receiver was reportedly invited by the parents of the girl celebrating her Bat Mitzvah, the Jewish milestone traditionally marking a girl's entrance into religious adulthood at age 12," Duarte wrote. "In the videos, Nacua helps carry the guest of honor toward the stage before later being spotted dancing among the crowd."

#angeles

The Los Angeles Rams made a trade out of nowhere on Thursday afternoon, just hours before their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers. They traded running back Jarquez Hunter to the Miami Dolphins for Tutu Atwell, reuniting with the receiver they just let walk in free agency five months ago.
It was a surprising trade for both teams, especially given the depth Los Angeles already had at wide receiver. Immediately, some fans questioned whether this deal was in preparation for a possible Puka Nacua suspension.
Sean McVay says that isn't the case. He told reporters after Thursday's game that acquiring Atwell had nothing to do with any possible suspension for Nacua. He says the Rams just wanted more depth at the position.
Additionally, Atwell won't ******* p any wide receivers that were previously going to make the team off the roster. That's an indication the Rams could keep as many as seven wideouts.
Atwell spent the last five years with the Rams after being a second-round pick in 2021 out of Louisville, but he never lived up to expectations. Even after signing a $10 million fully guaranteed contract last offseason, he barely played any snaps for the Rams.

#receiver

Los Angeles Rams star Myles Garrett brought a new level of hype and enthusiasm to the already sky-high expectations for the team this season, but clouds may be gathering.
Garrett has participated in full practice "just twice after experiencing what the Rams initially described as knee 'soreness,'" reports Michael Duarte of the California Post.
Jul 27, 2026; Westchester, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during training camp at Loyola Marymount University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Nearly three weeks ago, the 30-year-old Garrett told reporters that "I feel good. I'm allowed to get sore. I'm a little old."
The problem, Duarte explains, is that both Garrett and star wide receiver Puka Nacua were expected to return to practice this week.

#garrett #Rams #star

The Atlanta Falcons may not be all that talented compared to the competition, at least if we're going by the new positional rankings from ESPN which have them placed 30th at quarterback and just 26th overall.
Where the Falcons are best they are truly special, though.
The latest evidence here is the top-25 players under 25 years old from Mike Jones at The Athletic, where two Atlanta stars made the cut and another earned an honorable mention.
Naturally, superstar running back Bijan Robinson ranked highest, coming in at No. 9 on his list, one spot below Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and one ahead of Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner.
"One of the best all-around weapons in the league, Robinson last season topped the 1,400-yard rushing mark for the second straight year, and he added 820 receiving yards on 79 catches. Robinson edged out Christian McCaffrey in all-purpose yards (2,298 to 2,126) to lead all offensive players."

#robinson #espn #mike

Wide receivers can be a little tricky in fantasy football. While you want to target players who are the No. 1 receiver on their team, it is not advised to draft a receiver who is the only target on the team.
That is why Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins' season-ending torn ACL may have actually hurt receiver Nico Collins' fantasy stock a little.
The top wide receivers in fantasy generally have another talented receiver paired with them. Ja'Marr Chase with the Cincinnati Bengals has Tee Higgins. Puka Nacua with the Los Angeles Rams has Davante Adams. Justin Jefferson with the Minnesota Vikings has Jordan Addison.
Collins had Higgins, but now there is a bigger gap between the No. 1 and No. 2 receiver on the roster.
Houston still has tight end Dalton Schultz, who was actually second on the Texans in receiving yards last year, so there are other targets defenders will have to deal with. However, since Higgins is now out for the season, it will be easier for opposing defenders to double-team Collins and Schultz since they will feel more comfortable leaving receivers like Xavier Hutchinson and newcomers Zay Jones and Sterling Shepard one-on-one.

#receivers #houston

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. - - — Training camp has come to an end for the Los Angeles Rams as the regular season inches closer and closer.
Throughout camp, you have seen a team that is definitely built for a championship run after coming up short last season.
But like all other teams, there are some concerns if you truly are looking to nitpick away at this roster.
After watching the first month of practices and seeing Los Angeles share the field with the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints in joint practices, I walked away with one question: Where will the explosive plays come from early on?
That question becomes even more important with the uncertainty surrounding star wide receiver Puka Nacua. Nacua left the Rams' joint practice against the Cowboys last week with groin soreness. He is also facing the possibility of NFL discipline stemming from an offseason incident. No suspension has been finalized.

#angeles #Rams #season

Even with the Los Angeles Rams' shift toward more 13 personnel and higher tight end usage, the No. 3 receiver role is critical to the success of the offense. Unfortunately, they don't have a clear-cut WR3 like they have in years past, but there are a few guys competing for that role – including second-year receiver Konata Mumpfield.
Mumpfield and Jordan Whittington are the favorites to operate as co-WR3s for the Rams this year, and it was Mumpfield who drew high praise from Sean McVay after Thursday's joint practice with the Saints. He earned more opportunities with Puka Nacua injured, and it sounds like he's capitalizing on those chances.
"He's stepped up a lot," McVay said of Mumpfield. "He's one of those guys, he's so conscientious, gave him a couple things. Rob Calabrese, 'Yarbs' (Eric Yarber) and Robert Woods, they've talked about some things to be able to take his game to another level, and he's done that. In Puka's absence – obviously, we know how special Puka is, but I think both Mump and Jordan Whittington do a good job of being able to step up and show how valuable they are, but he's a sharp, savvy route-runner. He's wired to be able to separate. He's catching the ball really well and he does a great job of competing without the football, which is super important for us, so I love everything Mump's about."
Mumpfield was a seventh-round pick by the Rams last year, playing all 17 games as a rookie. He was targeted 23 times but caught just 10 passes for 92 yards and one touchdown during the regular season.
Though he and Whittington are vying for more snaps this season, they have very different skill sets. Mumpfield is more of a true outside receiver in the mold of Davante Adams, while Whittington can move all around the formation as a receiver and ball carrier on jet sweeps.

#mumpfield

The Los Angeles Rams are practicing with the New Orleans Saints today in Woodland Hills, which will be the team's second and final joint practice before the season. After a successful practice with the Cowboys last week, the Rams are looking to get in another good day of work against an opponent today.
Though some players will be out due to injury, there are still plenty of intriguing matchups to keep an eye on. Here are four of the best.
The Saints won't have Jordyn Tyson for this practice, so all the attention will be on Olave. McDuffie is the best matchup for him thanks to his speed and quickness, but Jaylen Watson will likely get chances to cover the terrific receiver down the field, too.
After a tough matchup with the Cowboys' receivers last week, the Rams' top cornerback will be tested again by Olave on Thursday.
With Puka Nacua's participation in question, Adams will likely be the Rams' top receiver on Thursday, drawing McKinstry in coverage. It's a matchup that favors Adams but McKinstry is a sneaky good corner.

#matchup #thursday

Puka Nacua's latest injury update could change Rams' preseason plans originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Rams aren't taking any chances with Puka Nacua as their star wide receiver works his way back from a lower back injury.
Head coach Sean McVay said the Rams are taking Nacua's recovery day by day and won't rush him back onto the practice field while he continues to experience soreness.
Nacua left Los Angeles' joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys last Tuesday after experiencing discomfort. McVay said Nacua "still has some soreness," leaving open the possibility that he may not return to practice until next week.
Last Thursday, McVay described the issue as "a little soreness" in Nacua's psoas, a muscle connecting the lower spine to the thigh bone. At the time, McVay said he anticipated Nacua returning the following week.

#nacua #mcvay #Rams #soreness

The Seattle Seahawks lost to the Dallas Cowboys 17-7 on Saturday night, but the true takeaways reside in the lessons we learned. There might be no more relevant week to prioritize takeaways than preseason. You didn't need to win. You did need to come away with as many ways to improve your team as possible. Here were the five most obvious lessons.
First, the running back rotation ended up being fairly varied like I predicted, but George Holani received 12 carries. Velus Jones Jr. took 7, TJ Harden took 2, and Justin Jones took 1. None of Emanuel Wilson, Zach Charbonnet, and Jadarian Price played, with both of the latter two likely to supplant Holani at some point this season when they return from injury. Until then, though, last year's third-stringer Holani will start. Price will likely be back in the near future and regular season, might also need to show pass-blocking prowess to earn the every-down workhorse role some might envision.
While the rather excellent episode two of Hard Knocks has been the talk of the town the past week, the tape will reflect the team's focus on managing and controlling violence. Derick Hall was coaching up Jalan Gaines, who was relentlessly attacking Dallas' quarterbacks, and Mason Richman and Beau Stephens were taking the competition to the Dallas' defensive line, both getting great downhill push in the run game. The young offensive lineman are a product of the culture Mike Macdonald and company have created and prioritized.
Jalen Milroe is a good quarterback prospect who the Seahawks can just keep waiting in the wings until they might need him, and he showed enough improvement tonight compared to last preseason to justify the draft capital they spent on him. They won the Super Bowl, but they might end up with an extremely interesting ***** et here the longer he's allowed to wait. He's 23, has 1st-round level athleticism, and is hitting the middle of the field consistently. Watch out.
I know, you could say any DB is a perfect fit here and be right, but Arnold's first-round athletic profile seems like an anti-Puka Nacua device. Having both him and Devon Witherspoon would be such a ridiculous blend of aggression and athleticism with Nick Emmanwori and Julian Love, and although Josh Jobe has played great too, the team clearly needs more experienced depth behind them outside.

#might #need #took

Puka Nacua believes Los Angeles' constant celebrity attention can actually help Los Angeles Rams players handle the pressure of the NFL.
Speaking on Impaulsive with Logan Paul, Nacua explained why playing in Los Angeles does not always create extra distractions. He pointed to the team's location and the city's endless stream of entertainment.
"I feel like being in the valley, we're luckily not in West Hollywood," Nacua said. "We're not in the downtown, so it's not too crazy."
MORE: Steve Smith Sr. sees Cyrus Allen filling Chiefs' WR1 need
The Rams receiver also believes the city's attention can quickly shift away from football. That can give players some breathing room after major performances.

#Rams #players #puka #speaking

Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua didn't hesitate when asked who gives him the most trouble on defense. Nacua quickly touted San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner as the most difficult defender to face when he runs routes in the middle of the field.
Nacua explained why Warner is the one defender he genuinely dreads seeing across from him on Sundays during an episode of Impaulsive.
"He's the best," Nacua said. "Everybody's really obviously so good in the NFL. There's ***** ody that covers that much ***** e. It's scary. The middle of the field is terrible. We'll run routes and I won't catch the ball and he's standing right there and he's like, 'I knew exactly where you're going.'"
Nacua said Warner's range makes it feel like the All-Pro linebacker is teleporting across the field mid-play.
"Dude, I swear when I started the play, you're on the left sideline and now you're right here standing next to me," Nacua recalled telling Warner. "He's like, 'That's just what I do.'"

#nacua #field #across

It's fantasy football mock draft SZN. We completed a chaotic one on YouTube where I leaned heavily into RBs because there were two flex spots and the board just fell that way, but that was a very unique build. Today's team is far more standard for a full-PPR team. Let's dive in.
Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2026 NFL season
Here's a look at the full list of picks for the first 10 rounds of the Full-PPR, 12-team mock draft.
Round 1: I picked fourth overall, which is where I want to be in general. In this dream scenario, Puka Nacua fell to me despite me considering him the 1.01 in full-PPR formats. It'd be Nacua, Ja'Marr Chase, Jahmyr Gibbs and then Bijan Robinson for me at the top before a slight tier drop to Christian McCaffrey, Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jonathan Taylor. That tier has slightly more risk or slightly less upside than the Big 4. What I wouldn't recommend is James Cook III at third overall, like my friend Aaron. In fact, Cook's lack of receiving profile keeps him out of my top-12 rankings entirely.
Round 2: After the star talents at RB get scooped up, my attention always goes to Brock Bowers in full-PPR re-draft formats. The drop-off at TE scoring after the top-eight this year is concerning, and I'm struggling to find breakout sleepers at the position. Bowers is uniquely set up for a 28% or higher target share while competing for looks with Jalen Nailor and Tre Tucker. That's the difference between my Round 2 Bowers ranking and my Round 3 Trey McBride ranking. In general, I don't see any obvious fades in Round 2. I'm most skeptical of Omarion Hampton's workload and Ashton Jeanty's touchdown upside early in Round 2, but their upside is obvious. The lone true mistake in this mock draft is Kyren Williams at 2.23, given how much Blake Corum threatened him last year (I drafted Corum later in this draft).

#full #draft #nacua #corum

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua provided an early scare on Tuesday, leaving joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys alongside head athletic trainer Reggie Scott. The star wideout did not return to finish the day's session and head coach Sean McVay wasn't sure what happened.
While any early exit for a franchise cornerstone brings a certain level of anxiety, veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford doesn't appear to be hitting the panic ****** on just yet. Speaking to reporters after practice, Stafford projected a calm, business-as-usual attitude regarding his top target's departure.
"I did not [see what happened]," Stafford said when asked about Nacua's exit. "I'm not really sure what the issue was, but ****** ody ran up to me in a panic, so I don't think it was anything too major."
Stafford's laid-back reaction is a welcome sign for a fan base that holds its breath whenever Nacua steps off the field. The 25-year-old receiver has developed a reputation for his relentless, physical playing style, but that same trait has occasionally sidelined him. After avoiding injury during his record-breaking 2023 rookie campaign, Nacua dealt with a right knee PCL sprain in 2024 and missed a game due to an ankle sprain in 2025.
Despite the occasional ****** p in the road, Nacua's production has been nothing short of historic. He is coming off a staggering 2025 campaign where he led the entire NFL with 129 receptions, racking up 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns. Over his first three professional seasons, he has accumulated 313 catches for 4,191 yards and 19 scores.

#practice #sure #happened #exit