Rams Expect Puka Nacua to Suit Up in Australia Despite NFL Review
McVay says he's heard nothing suggesting a Week 1 suspension for the WR1 who posted 375 PPR points and 1,715 yards last season.
Coach expects him active for the opener; he's a locked WR1.
- Nacua: 129 catches, 1,715 yds, 10 TD in 2025 (actual)
- League-high 129 receptions last season
- 375 PPR points in 2025 — our WR1
- Both cases still under NFL review before Thursday
- Jackson signed 3-yr, $57M extension in Feb 2025
Sean McVay isn't sweating his opener personnel. The Rams coach said Sunday he fully expects both Puka Nacua and left tackle Alaric Jackson to play Thursday against the 49ers in Australia, telling reporters he's heard nothing to suggest a suspension is coming for either player despite off-field cases still sitting on the NFL's desk.
That's a big deal for fantasy managers, because Nacua isn't a boom-bust flier — he's our WR1 and No. 2 overall player. Last season (2025) he caught a league-high 129 balls for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns, good for 375 PPR points across 16 games. When you're building a roster around a player, the last thing you want is a Week 1 inactive tag out of nowhere.
The Cloud Still Hanging Over LA
Here's the caveat McVay can't wave away: both cases remain under league review, and the NFL could still hand down discipline before kickoff. A woman filed a lawsuit against Nacua this offseason alleging assault, battery and gender violence; Nacua has denied the allegations. He also entered a holistic care facility over the offseason and, by all accounts, has practiced and prepared normally for 2026.
Jackson's situation is separate but relevant to the offense's floor. He was arrested on a domestic violence charge in June, though he wasn't charged with a felony and his case was routed into a pre-filing diversion program. He's entering his sixth season and signed a three-year, $57 million extension in February 2025 — the anchor of a line that helped push the Rams to a 12-5 record and the NFC title game last year.
What Fantasy Managers Should Do
Start Nacua with confidence — but keep tabs on the wire. His last five games of 2025 trended up (+6.9 fantasy points over his season average), and the target volume alone makes him matchup-proof. McVay saying "absolutely" is the strongest public signal we've gotten, and coaches rarely lead you astray on availability this close to a game.
Still, this is a Thursday kickoff halfway around the world, so don't get caught flat-footed. If you have a stash spot and a nervous disposition, grab a cheap flex insurance body before the game. But the plan doesn't change: Nacua is in your lineup unless and until the league says otherwise.
