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Rams place WR Puka Nacua, pair of OL on IR

Wed Sep 11 3:19pm ET
Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Rams officially placed dynamic wide receiver Puka Nacua and two starting offensive linemen on injured reserve Wednesday amid a flurry of moves.

Guard Steve Avila, left tackle Joe Noteboom and Nacua all will have to miss at least four games.

In corresponding moves, the Rams signed Geron Christian off their practice squad and signed fellow offensive lineman Dylan McMahon off the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Nacua, 23, suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee Sunday night against the Detroit Lions. Nacua appeared to sustain the injury on a 6-yard catch with 6:36 left in the second quarter of the Rams' 26-20 loss at Lions. He had four catches for 35 yards.

Avila, 24, suffered an MCL sprain during the game. The veteran Noteboom (high ankle sprain) will miss at least a few weeks and guard Kevin Dotson (lateral ankle sprain) is considered day-to-day.

The Rams also brought back veteran defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon to their practice squad. He started all 17 games for the club last year.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 2

Player Notes
Tyreek Hill Sep 11 2:30pm CT
Tyreek Hill

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill will be a must-start option as usual in Week 2 when the team takes on the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football. After being detained by police before kickoff this past Sunday, Hill caught 7-of-12 targets for 130 yards and scored a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was mostly locked down early in the game, but Cheetah shook free for an 80-yard score in the second half as the Jags would eventually fall 20-17. With running back Raheem Mostert (chest) ruled out and De'Von Achane (ankle) a game-time decision, expect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to lean on the veteran wideout and his running mate Jaylen Waddle to open the second week of NFL action. Aside from edge-rusher Greg Rousseau, no other Bills defender graded higher than 68.7 per PFF in Week 1. Hill is again RotoBaller's No. 1 PPR WR play this week.

From RotoBaller

Kyren Williams Sep 11 2:20pm CT
Kyren Williams

The Los Angeles Rams placed offensive linemen Joe Noteboom (ankle) and Steve Avila (knee) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday, meaning the pair of starters will not be eligible to return until after the Week 6 bye. This is a troubling development for the Rams, who also placed Paka Nacua (knee) or IR. While dealing with a banged-up offensive line against the Lions in Week 1, Kyren Williams could only produce 50 rushing yards on 18 carries. Until the Rams offensive line returns to health, there could be little running room to work with, which lowers Williams' floor and ceiling moving forward.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Waddle Sep 11 2:20pm CT
Jaylen Waddle

The Buffalo Bills defense/special teams travels to Miami to meet with the high-powered Dolphins' offense in Week 2. Wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both had a reception of over 60 yards against the Jaguars. The Buffalo defense, introducing new faces in their secondary, struggled to slow down the Arizona offense in Week 1. The Las Vegas sportsbooks predict Thursday Night Football will be one of the highest-scoring affairs of the Week 2 slate. Starting a defense in a matchup where points will come easy isn't a smart strategy. The Bills D/ST can be left on waiver wires.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Bass Sep 11 2:10pm CT
Tyler Bass

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass was a perfect six-for-six on kicks during his 2024 debut against the Arizona Cardinals and now enters a matchup where points should come easy. Josh Allen rarely has difficulty moving the offense against Mike McDaniel's Miami Dolphins. That will set up Bass for several kicking opportunities. Fantasy managers will be hopeful that field goals come more often than extra points, but there's a great chance that Bass won't go scoreless. Bass is a safe option for fantasy football and is ranked among the top kickers in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa Sep 11 2:10pm CT
Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will square off against the Buffalo Bills this Thursday night to open up the NFL's second week of action. Tagovailoa tossed just one score this past Sunday when Miami defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in what was a slow start for the Dolphins. However, his 338 passing yards were good enough to lead the league after the first week of action. Jacksonville's defense kept Tua and the Fins in check during the first half, but long completions of 63 and 80 yards to Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill in the second half were enough to flip the momentum in their favor. Leading into Week 2, running back Raheem Mostert (chest) has been ruled out, and De'Von Achane (ankle) will be a game-time decision. If Achane is deemed unfit to suit up, Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jaylen Wright will pick up the slack in the Dolphins' backfield, with Waddle and Hill projected for increased volume. Buffalo isn't the easiest matchup for Tua and Miami, but the fifth-year signal-caller is still a QB1 (QB11) in RotoBaller's Week 2 rankings.

From RotoBaller

Keon Coleman Sep 11 2:00pm CT
Keon Coleman

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman begins his second week of professional, regular season football leading the team in most statistical receiving categories. Unfortunately, his four catches and 51 yards aren't an amazing stat line. Josh Allen spreads the football around, connecting with nine different receivers in Week 1. That could be the story of the Buffalo season, especially if Dalton Kincaid doesn't command targets as expected. Coleman is the most intriguing prospect of the Bills' wide receivers but he's not ready to be in fantasy football starting lineups. The leading receiver could change every week. Like Week 1, Coleman could emerge as the top receiver or score his first touchdown. He could just as easily catch one or two passes on Thursday Night Football.

From RotoBaller

Ty Johnson Sep 11 2:00pm CT
Ty Johnson

Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (knee) returned to full practice on Wednesday following limited sessions on Monday and Tuesday with a knee injury. The 26-year-old was banged up in the Week 1 win over the Arizona Cardinals, but he is good to go for Thursday Night against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. Johnson saw two carries for seven yards and drew one target in the season-opener, so he's not on the fantasy football radar in traditional leagues unless James Cook or Ray Davis have to miss any time in the future.

From RotoBaller

Khalil Shakir Sep 11 2:00pm CT
Khalil Shakir

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir scored a touchdown in Week 1, but that's all he did to excite fantasy managers. Three catches (on three targets) won't cut it as a flex-worthy option every week, because the touchdowns won't stay consistent. That's the problem facing Buffalo wide receivers. Josh Allen will score a lot of fantasy points and throw the football up and down the field. The matchup against Miami is forecasted to be one of the highest-scoring games of the Week 2 slate. It's just difficult to predict who, if anyone, will command the lion's share of targets. Nine different receivers caught a pass from Allen in Week 1. If it's a winning formula, why deviate? Shakir is the safest of the Bills' wide receivers, but target distribution will likely cap his upside.

From RotoBaller

Mack Hollins Sep 11 2:00pm CT
Mack Hollins

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins caught two passes for 25 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. As was the case throughout his career, Hollins appears now and then with a double-digit fantasy football game. And just like his previous stops, Hollins is a part-time player who does the little things well. Interestingly, however, the Bills utilized Hollins far more than Curtis Samuel. The latter played 17 (27%) of the Bills' snaps in Week 1 and appeared to be the direct backup to Khalil Shakir. Hollins will be on the field for most three-receiver sets. That doesn't mean he needs to be on fantasy football rosters. He'll continue to be a low-target receiver who catches a touchdown or long pass from time to time. Keep Hollins on waiver wires ahead of the team's matchup with Miami on Thursday Night Football.

From RotoBaller

James Cook Sep 11 1:50pm CT
James Cook

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook may not get the red zone opportunities that fantasy managers love, but he'll get plenty of touches elsewhere on the field. Although on the field for just over 60% of Buffalo's snaps in Week 1, James Cook dominated backfield touches. He carried the ball 19 times and caught three passes. Rookie Ray Davis got four touches while veteran Ty Johnson (knee) received two. The latter has been limited in practice. With offensive coordinator Joe Brady's reliance on the running game since he took the helm, Cook is in line for another 15-20 touch game. Consider Cook a low-end RB1 against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football.

From RotoBaller

Dalton Kincaid Sep 11 1:50pm CT
Dalton Kincaid

Tight end Dalton Kincaid, considered to be the top receiving option in the Buffalo Bills' passing game, caught one pass for 11 yards in his season debut. Josh Allen connected with nine different receivers in Week 1, leaving Kincaid's fantasy managers clamoring for more. There are encouraging numbers for the second-year tight end. Allen only threw 23 times in the win over Arizona. He averaged 34 attempts per game in 2023. Kincaid was on the field for over 80% of the snaps and ran a route on over 80% of passing plays. The volume will eventually come. Don't panic with Kincaid just yet. There should be plenty of passing and points in Miami, one of the highest over/under lines of the Week 2 slate.

From RotoBaller

Malik Washington Sep 11 1:50pm CT
Malik Washington

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington (quad) is officially ruled out of the Thursday Night Football contest against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2. Washington didn't play last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to a quad injury, so he will have to wait at least one more week to make his NFL debut. It's unfortunate that Washington hasn't been able to play, especially while Odell Beckham Jr. is on the PUP list, requiring him to miss at least the first four games of the regular season. Washington was a sixth-round pick by Miami in the 2024 NFL Draft following a 1,400-yard season at Virginia in 2023. Braxton Berrios will continue to operate as Miami's WR3, but he has limited upside behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

From RotoBaller

Josh Allen Sep 11 1:40pm CT
Josh Allen

There's no concern about the matchup for Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (hand) in Week 2. The two-time Pro Bowler has passed for over 300 yards and scored multiple touchdowns in each of his last five matchups against the Miami Dolphins. The 45 rushing yards he's averaged in those contests is the cherry on top. Although he only threw for 232 yards in his season debut, Allen's four touchdowns confirm that the Buffalo scoring offense runs through the quarterback. Allen is dealing with an injury to his non-throwing hand, but he's been a full participant in practice this week. Allen belongs in starting lineups in every fantasy league.

From RotoBaller

Devon Achane Sep 11 1:40pm CT
Devon Achane

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (ankle) is officially listed as questionable to face the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football in Week 2. The second-year pro missed practice on Tuesday and Wednesday due to an ankle injury. Fantasy managers were hoping his lack of participation was for extra caution, but he's considered a game-time decision. 32-year-old running back Raheem Mostert (chest) has been ruled out with a chest injury, so rookie Jaylen Wright is likely to be active on Thursday. If Achane is active, he's a must-start option despite the risk of a potentially decreased role. Miami will only play him if the team believes he is healthy enough to go, and he's a threat to score a touchdown on any play. If he's out, Wright and Jeff Wilson Jr. are intriguing flex options with wide ranges of outcomes. Both would have upside, but it's tough to know how Mike McDaniel would distribute touches.

From RotoBaller

Puka Nacua Sep 11 1:30pm CT
Puka Nacua

The Los Angeles Rams officially placed wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday. The team announced early in the week that he would go on IR, but it is now official, and he must sit out at least the next four games. It's an unfortunate development for Nacua and his fantasy managers who took him in the first or second round of preseason fantasy drafts following a 105-catch, 1,486-yard, six-touchdown season as a rookie. He will be first eligible to return following Los Angeles' Week 6 bye leading up to the matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7. While he's out, Cooper Kupp, who saw 21 targets in Week 1, should continue to dominate targets. However, wideouts Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson and tight end Colby Parkinson will see increased opportunities. In deep leagues, Tutu Atwell might be worth stashing.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Sep 11 1:20pm CT
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (soreness) was not at Monday's practice while dealing with general soreness. However, he is back on the practice field on Wednesday, which should ease any concerns that fantasy managers had early in the week. Jackson had a strong Week 1 performance against the Kansas City Chiefs, throwing for 273 yards and a touchdown and rushing 16 times for 122 yards. The two-time MVP remains a must-start fantasy option in all matchups, as he can pay off in fantasy football despite down weeks as a passer. Baltimore hosts the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2, and he has overall QB1 upside.

From RotoBaller

Maurice Hurst Sep 11 1:10pm CT
Maurice Hurst

The Cleveland Browns placed safety Juan Thornhill (calf), linebacker Tony Fields II (ankle), defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (ankle), and linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (hip) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday. All four players will now have to miss at least the next four games, meaning they are ineligible to return until at least Week 6 ahead of the matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Thornhill is the biggest loss for the Cleveland defense that gave up 33 points in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The team signed three defenders from its practice squad and signed two more players to the practice squad in corresponding moves. This is obviously not an ideal development, but Cleveland could still play strong defense with a healthy Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward.

From RotoBaller

Rome Odunze Sep 11 1:00pm CT
Rome Odunze

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze (knee) is not practicing on Wednesday and will be "day-to-day," according to head coach Matt Eberflus. Reports earlier this week had Odunze labeled as week-to-week due to an MCL sprain that he suffered in his NFL debut in the Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans. This new report is much more optimistic, but fantasy managers should still consider the 22-year-old very questionable for the Week 2 game in Houston against the Texans. And with Keenan Allen (heel) also banged up, Chicago's deep receiving corps could suddenly be thin this weekend. Odunze played 77% of the offensive snaps in his first regular-season NFL game last Sunday but caught just one pass for an 11-yard gain. As long as both DJ Moore and Allen remain healthy, Odunze figures to be an inconsistent fantasy option on a weekly basis despite all of his upside.

From RotoBaller

Noah Brown Sep 11 12:40pm CT
Noah Brown

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that they are "definitely trending in the right direction" to have wide receiver Noah Brown read to make his team debut in Week 2 in a divisional matchup versus the New York Giants this Sunday. Brown hasn't had enough time to learn the playbook after joining the Commanders recently, but it appears as though he could be active this weekend after being a healthy scratch in the Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 28-year-old could immediately compete for a role as the WR3 behind Terry McLaurin and Olamide Zaccheaus, which would be bad news for rookie Luke McCaffrey and Dyami Brown in the receiving pecking order. If Brown is active, don't expect him to play many offensive snaps in his first game. He can remain on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues for now.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Sep 11 12:30pm CT
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) is making strides in his recovery but deferred to the injury report that will come out later on Wednesday after practice. Higgins tweaked his hamstring in practice last Thursday and was ruled out of the season-opening upset loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday. It sounds like Higgins might be limited in practice on Wednesday, which still puts him up in the air to play in Week 2 versus the defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs. If the 25-year-old makes his season debut this weekend, he could also be on a pitch count, making him a shaky WR3/flex play. With Higgins out in Week 1, Andrei Iosivas played 100% of the offensive snaps but hauled in only three passes for 26 yards on six targets, which tied for the team lead with Ja'Marr Chase.

From RotoBaller