Team news: Los Angeles Rams

The Rams have completed at least one part of their evaluation of special teams.

According to a report from NFL Network, Los Angeles is releasing kicker Harrison Mevis and signing kicker Blake Grupe off of the Jets’ practice squad.

The story went on to say that in Monday night’s loss to the Bills, Mevis missed a field goal and had his 48-yard attempt to win the game in overtime blocked. He also missed a field goal against Philadelphia in Week 4 and one against the Giants in Week 2. Grupe lost his job with the Saints after missing several field goals in 2025. But he made all 11 of his field goals and all 10 of his extra points in five games with the Colts late in the year.

Kyren Williams has emerged so much as a receiver that he’s this team’s de facto No. 3 option behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, with 21 catches for 173 yards.

Related players: Blake Corum, Matthew Stafford

The story went on to say between that and his immense value as a pass protector to keep a 38-year-old Stafford upright, the Rams feel challenged to give Williams 20-plus carries in a game. That's why Williams is averaging just over 13 carries a game. In Week 4 against the Eagles he collected 10 catches. Williams also had 16 carries in Week 4, which was a season high for him. Meanwhile Corum has just 11 carries over the past two weeks after getting 10 and 12 in Weeks 1 and 2. Ideally the Rams would like more of a balance with carries between their backs while Williams gets the edge catching passes. Owners are hoping Williams is in store for another big game on Monday night in what could bet a high-scoring affair against the Bills.

With Rams receiver Puka Nacua having “core muscle” issues during training camp and then a hip/groin problem that caused him to miss two games, it began to seem as if Nacua might have a hernia.

But coach Sean McVay, during Puka’s recent absence, said the Rams’ top receiver does not have a hernia.

As explained by Erin Andrews of Fox Sports early in Sunday’s Rams-Eagles game, Nacua has a “pre-hernia.”

The story said there’s a weakness in the wall of muscle that keeps internal tissue from popping through. But, for now, nothing has popped through. So it’s not a hernia yet. But it could still become a hernia. Puka played well in his return against the Eagles. But the story pointed out the overriding question is whether it can and will heal over time, especially as he continues to apply stress to the affected area. It’s something that could still result in a condition that will require surgery, during or after the 2026 season, the story said.

Puka Nacua will be limited in practice today, per Sean McVay, but McVay expects him to play Sunday against Eagles

Related Players: Davante Adams, Konata Mumpfield, Jordan Whittington, Tyler Higbee

This is the strongest indication yet that Nacua will return after missing the last two games. His participation should still be monitored through Friday because he is returning from a soft-tissue injury, but managers can begin planning to start him if he avoids a setback. Adams remains a strong option, though his WR1 projection will likely fall once Nacua is restored to the rankings. Mumpfield and Whittington lose most of their short-term appeal, while Higbee’s target ceiling takes a hit despite the Rams’ other injuries at tight end.

Rams TE Colby Parkinson suffered an AC sprain and TE Terrance Ferguson suffered a medial ankle sprain.

Related players: Tyler Higbee, Max Klare

The post went on to say Ferguson will likely miss the Eagles game in Week 4, per McVay, while Parkinson looks like he'll be more day-to-day, giving him a shot to play in Week 4. Fantasy owners just can't seem to know when a Rams TE is going to be relevant for their lineup. No Rams TE stood out in Week 1, while Ferguson put up a 6-54-1 line in Week 2. In Week 3, it was Higbee who went for 8-62-1. Higbee may be an option in Week 4 even if Ferguson is good to go, but both come with risks until there is more consistency.

Sean McVay said he's "hopeful" WR Puka Nacua will play Sunday against the Eagles.

This doesn't necessarily make Nacua fantasy owners feel great about his Week 4 status. The injury is now being called a groin injury after it was said to be a hip injury last week. The good news is this game is in the early window of Week 4 so owners will have time to adjust lineups if Puka comes down to a game-time call. We'll likely have more updates as the week goes on.

Puka Nacua is doubtful for game against Broncos, McVay said.

Related Players: Davante Adams, Terrance Ferguson, Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield

If Nacua misses again this weekend, we can pencil Adams into another WR1 performance after he crushed in fantasy last week. Ferguson/Parkinson/Higbee should also see a touch more usage, with Ferguson a great streaming option.

Rams coach Sean McVay said he's not sure whether Puka Nacua will play in Week 3, but the team is not worried that the wide receiver's injury will be "any sort of long-term threat."

Nacua did not play Monday night with what was listed as a hip injury on the injury report, but McVay later clarified that Nacua was dealing with "a little bit of soreness" in his groin.

Related Players: Davante Adams, Xavier Smith, Konata Mumpfield, Tutu Atwell, Terrance Ferguson, Colby Parkinson

A fifth consecutive absence Friday would place Nacua in serious danger of missing another game. Adams would remain Matthew Stafford’s clear top target if Nacua sits, while Ferguson could benefit after returning to full participation Thursday. Parkinson missed practice with a knee injury, leaving the Rams’ secondary receiving options unsettled.

The Rams are not practicing today (they’re just having a jog-through) and Puka Nacua will not participate. McVay said he’s not sure whether Nacua will play in Week 3 but that the team is not concerned about it being a long-term injury for the WR.

Related Players: Davante Adam, Terrance Ferguson, Xavier Smith, Konata Mumpfield, Tutu Atwell

Nacua’s Sunday-night kickoff creates another difficult lineup decision unless his status becomes clearer before the early games. Adams remains a high-end starter either way. Ferguson and the Rams’ fringe receivers would receive more opportunities if Nacua misses a second straight game, but none of the secondary wideouts currently projects as a dependable fantasy start.

Sean McVay on Puka Nacua: "I'm not sure what his status is as far as this next coming week. I'm hopeful that he'll play."

Mike Garafollo on the NFL Network reported Nacua is questionable heading into Week 3 and isn't a lock to play in what he said the team is calling a hip injury. This post went on to say in terms of a decision to have Nacua not play vs. Giants, McVay said, "it really just boiled down to kind of what I told you (last week), when you have soft tissue injuries with guys like that that are skill players, you're going to err on the side of caution." The Rams are set for yet another prime time game, this time at the Broncos in on Sunday night. Nacua owners will need to have a backup plan for Week 3.