NFL Player News

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported earlier today that there was “optimism” around the potential return for Nacua in Week 8, but the Rams made it official just hours before they kickoff against the Vikings. The question now becomes how much Nacua will play. His 21-day return window was opened just two days ago, and it’s not often we see teams activate a player so early into the process. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Rams “won’t decide until pregame warmups how much he can play, but the plan is to play him.” Fantasy managers eager to insert Nacua into their lineups should do so with caution, as a low-snap count could prove detrimental for his Week 8 outlook.

Paraphrasing in-house Rams reporter Stu Jackson, McVay “also said that there’s a lot of speculation, and certain things he’s seen circulating are not true and have been addressed.” That’s ... mostly a denial. In his own words, McVay was a little more emphatic. “I’m really glad to have Cooper Kupp back with us. And that’s what I expect to stay that way.” “Expect” is doing a little work there, but now on a two-game winning streak and on better footing in the down NFC West, the Rams will probably stand pat. They have 12 more days to think about it.

The 16 yards were Nailor’s second fewest of the season, while one of Nailor’s missed connections was an egregious red zone drop. Not a good way to head into Week 9, where the Vikings are expected to get T.J. Hockenson back against the Colts. Nailor is barely cracking the top 70 right now in fantasy.

Parkinson has now caught two passes on only two looks in back-to-back games. The difference this time? Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp were both back in the lineup. That means Parkinson’s cellar-dwelling floor now has no plausible ceiling. He will be a tough sell as a top-24 tight end in Week 9 against the Seahawks.

Atwell’s missed connection was a potential 40-yard score that Matthew Stafford overcooked. With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua both finally back healthy this evening, Atwell immediately, predictably reverted to role player status. He got out-targeted 3-2 by DeMarcus Robinson. Although Kupp and Nacua both have fragile health situations, Atwell can be safely returned to waiver wires.

Eerily quiet all year as the Rams hunted for production without Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua in the lineup, Robinson naturally doubled his season touchdown total upon their returns. It’s not terribly surprising that Robinson sees better looks with his star teammates back in the lineup, but he’s certainly not going to see more looks. He will be difficult to get into the top 60 for Week 9 against the Seahawks.

This was Addison’s worst box score of the season, though he has still yet to catch more than three passes. That’s a problem since Sam Darnold’s volume has remained limited and T.J. Hockenson (knee) now appears set to return for Week 9 against the Colts. That’s also a game where the Vikes project for a ton of run volume. Addison’s big-play potential makes him difficult to drop outside the top 48, but he’s a highly-volatile WR3/4 in his current setup.

Aaron Jones’ hamstring was supposedly an issue heading into Week 7, but he’s now out-touched backup Chandler 38-2 over the past five days. Unideal. We doubt Jones will maintain quite that level of touch dominance, but any dreams fantasy managers had of Chandler becoming more than a strict contingency back have been dashed. He can be released to the waiver wire ahead of Week 9 against the Colts.

For the second time in as many weeks, Jones rendered backup Ty Chandler a complete nonentity. The difference this time was, Jones couldn’t find the end zone. Disappointing, but Jones has erased any concerns about his hamstring and now has 10 days to heal up for a dream matchup with the Colts’ bottom-three run defense.

Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua were both back this evening, but that didn’t prevent Williams from reaching a season-high 28 touches. Blake Corum mixed in for five change-of-pace handles, but Williams now nears the season’s midway point as one of the most locked-in bell-cows. Although Nacua and Kupp could occasionally lower his touch counts, they also greatly enhance his touchdown potential. Williams is a high-end RB1 heading into Week 9 against the Seahawks’ soft run defense.

Jefferson seemed open every play of the Vikings’ first two drives, where he stacked up a scoreless 5/68 as Sam Darnold found role players Josh Oliver and Trent Sherfield for scores. It was tougher sledding after that, though Jefferson made one of the catches of the year to set the Vikings up at the Rams’ four-yard line midway through the third quarter. Making a one-handed grab, Jefferson kept his concentration through several bobbles before toe-tapping to secure the catch in-bounds. It was the kind of play probably only 3-4 active wideouts could make. Jefferson’s floor has been absurdly high all season, but this was “just” his second 100-yard outing. Darnold’s volume remains something of an issue, while T.J. Hockenson (knee) is expected back to compete for targets in Week 9. Jefferson has a strong matchup in the Colts.