Puka Nacua Likely Out for Rams vs. Broncos With Injury, Top Waiver-Wire WR Replacements for Fantasy

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is "unlikely to play" on Sunday evening at the Denver Broncos as he continues to deal with hip and groin concerns, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

As noted by ESPN's Sarah Barshop, Nacua is listed with a hip ailment on the Rams' injury report. Head coach Sean McVay told reporters the wideout is also dealing with "a little bit of soreness" in his groin. He missed his second straight practice on Thursday.

So it appears Nacua will now miss his second straight game after sitting the Rams' 28-6 home win over the New York Giants in Week 2.

From a fantasy perspective, here's a look at five wide receivers to consider if players need a starter in Nacua's place. All players listed here are available in 51 percent or more in Yahoo leagues.

• Baltimore Ravens WR Rashod Bateman (Available in 68% of Leagues)
• Houston Texans WR Keyshon Boutte (76%)
• Las Vegas Raiders WR Tre Tucker (57%)
• Miami Dolphins WR Malik Washington (84%)
• Chicago Bears WR Kalif Raymond (92%)

Baltimore Ravens WR Rashod Bateman

With Zay Flowers (hamstring) sidelined last week, Baltimore Ravens wideout Rashod Bateman caught seven passes for 88 yards and a touchdown on nine targets in a 24-17 home loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Flowers hasn't practiced this week, putting his availability in doubt for the Ravens' matchup with the Dallas Cowboys in Brazil on Sunday.

Only two players had more than three targets last Sunday: Bateman and tight end Mark Andrews (seven). The guess here is quarterback Lamar Jackson looks Bateman's way frequently again.

Houston Texans WR Keyshon Boutte

Like the Ravens, the Houston Texans lost their No. 1 wide receiver (Nico Collins) to a hamstring injury in Week 2. Collins hasn't practiced in Week 3, leaving his status in doubt for Sunday at the Indianapolis Colts.

Texans' playmakers had chances to step up last Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, but the offense struggled in a 20-6 defeat.

This Sunday brings more chances for success against a Colts team that's allowed 74 points in two weeks. That means wide receiver Keyshon Boutte could get his time to shine. Boutte had a quiet game Sunday (three catches, 37 yards), but he played a healthy 72 percent of the snaps and could certainly break out here.

Las Vegas Raiders WR Tre Tucker

This is a spot where it's hard to ignore the production. Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker broke out for 119 yards and a touchdown on five catches (seven targets) in a 26-14 road win over the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday. Clearly, he has found a good rapport with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Granted, the Raiders' top pass-catcher (tight end Brock Bowers) was out with a knee ailment. He may be back Sunday at the New Orleans Saints after logging a pair of practices this week.

Still, Tucker is clearly the Raiders' top wideout right now, so he'll get his looks. And the Raiders' offense did well thanks in large part to his efforts, so one can surmise the team should go back to that well Sunday.

Miami Dolphins WR Malik Washington

The Miami Dolphins are banged up at wideout heading into a matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. Caleb Douglas has missed both practices this week, and Chris Bell suited up for both, albeit in limited fashion.

This may be a spot for Malik Washington to rise. Washington leads the team in targets with 13 through two weeks, though it hasn't translated into much production (seven catches, 96 yards). Still, Washington will have opportunities, maybe even more now that Douglas is potentially out.

Chicago Bears WR Kalif Raymond

Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond leads the team in receptions (13), receiving yards (124) and targets (14), and that would have been near-impossible to predict before the season given a roster including tight end Colston Loveland and wideouts Rome Odunze and Luther Burden. Alas, he's the top producer right now.

It's unclear how long that will last, but it's at least worth considering riding the lightning right now and hoping Raymond stays hot.

There is a big question at quarterback, of course, with starter Caleb Williams (hamstring) and backup Tyson Bagent (concussion protocol) not practicing this week, leaving third-stringer (but capable veteran) Case Keenum as the possible starter. However, Raymond is getting his fair share of opportunities, and that could very well continue Monday.